The House amended a bill last Thursday that bans gas or oil drilling under the Great Lakes. The amendment to HR2311 followed recent votes to delay or block drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and national monuments, and again demonstrated the resistance President Bush faces to implement his energy policy, which stresses the need to boost domestic production and supply.

The House amendment prohibits the Army Corps of Engineers from spending funds to issue new permits for drilling under the five lakes and connecting rivers. Supporters of the amendment, led by lawmakers from Great Lakes states, expressed concern that drilling could put the water at risk.

"There is no amount of oil under the Great Lakes that is worth putting one-fifth of the world's fresh water at risk," Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) told news reporters. "The only appropriate policy is to keep drills out of the Great Lakes," said Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI).

Congress, in passing its general budget for fiscal year 2002, also ignored White House plans to make initial investments to develop the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.