Budget Outrage

The fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is once again in play. The Senate budget bill instructs the government to raise $6 billion in leasing fees from the refuge over 10 years, with the figure to be split between the state of Alaska and the federal government. In other words, we're talking about $3 billion in a budget that approaches $3 trillion total.

As we noted earlier in the week, the Interior Department now estimates that the government will lose at least $7 billion (and as much as $28 billion) in royalties over the next five years thanks to something called the "royalty relief." As if that weren't outrage enough, the Bush energy bill extends $2.6 billion in tax breaks to the same oil and gas companies that would stand to profit in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the same oil and gas companies that are currently enjoying record profits.

The House is now considering whether to include Arctic drilling in its version of the budget bill. You can vote on the matter in this poll at MSNBC.