WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday blocked a major push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling while approving the first significant belt-tightening in federal spending in nearly a decade.
Supporters of the drilling proposal, led by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), thought that high gasoline prices and bigger GOP majorities in the House and Senate would make this the year they would achieve their long-sought goal. But they ended up falling a few votes short of overcoming a Democratic-led filibuster.
Earlier in the day, nearly $40 billion in cuts to the federal budget were approved by the narrowest of margins, with Vice President Dick Cheney cutting short a trip to the Middle East to return to break a 50-50 tie.
The spending cuts -- largely aimed at student loans, Medicare and Medicaid, and criticized by Democrats and some Republicans as hurting the poor -- were a victory for President Bush, who had called for a more determined drive to reduce the deficit. But the drilling measure's defeat was a blow to him, as he had pursued opening the Alaskan refuge to energy exploration since taking office.
The day was emblematic of a tumultuous session in which Republicans chalked up some legislative victories but failed to accomplish several priorities because of internal divisions. That may portend an even more rancorous session next year, as both parties gear up for the 2006 midterm elections.
Much of Wednesday's tension was sparked by the drilling debate, which featured frantic last-minute lobbying, emotional remarks and uncertainty about the outcome until the roll call.
The Arctic measure drew opposition on environmental grounds and because Stevens -- one of the Senate's most adroit behind-the-scenes players -- had attached it to a $453-billion military spending bill, considered "must-pass" legislation.
Critics said Stevens' gambit violated Senate rules.
"I love my friend from Alaska," Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) said during the debate. "But I love the Senate more." They have served in the chamber together since the late 1960s, when Stevens joined; Byrd was first elected in 1958.
Stevens delivered an impassioned appeal for a cause he has pursued for 25 years. Sporting an Incredible Hulk necktie that he wears for major legislative battles, and asking the "good Lord to help me keep my temper," he reminded colleagues of his attention to their needs when he served in recent years as Appropriations Committee chairman.
