Washington, D.C. — As the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing today on approving drilling in the iconic and pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of the Republican tax bill, League of Conservation Voters Deputy Legislative Director Alex Taurel released the following statement:

“Drilling in the Arctic Refuge would cause irreparable harm to one of America’s most majestic wild places. There’s been bipartisan opposition to selling out our most iconic wildlife refuge for over 30 years, but now Republican leadership is trying to secure Senator Murkowski’s vote for their terrible tax plan by throwing in a polar payout to Alaska and Big Oil. If the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee actually wants to raise revenue, they could start by ending loopholes for mining companies or cutting back on the $20 billion in taxpayer subsidies fossil fuels receive every year.”