Murkowski takes credit for amendment

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2002

Senate sparring continued on Wednesday as the chamber debated an energy policy bill and approved an amendment to route a natural gas pipeline through the state of Alaska.

But that didn't please Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), who has already complained that Republicans weren't consulted in the development of the bill, too much. He accused Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) of stealing his idea and playing politics.

The criticism apparently worked and by the end of the day, the proposal was being called the Daschle-Murkowski amendment. The Senate approved it 95 to 3.

The interior Alaska route is preferred by state officials and Alaska Native representatives, who opposed a northern route through the Arctic Sea and Canada for fear it would disrupt their whaling tradition. First Nations leaders in the Northwest Territories, however, supported a Canadian route because they wanted economic development.

Get the Story:
Senate sets gas pipeline route (The Anchorage Daily News 3/7)
Senate backs southern route for gas pipeline (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 3/7)
Nickles unhappy with handling of energy legislation (The Daily Oklahoman 3/7)

Related Stories:
Senate takes up energy bill (3/6)
First Nations sign pipeline deal (10/16)
Arctic drilling debate continues (10/15)
Alaska gas pipeline debated (10/3)