Washington, D.C. – After the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly voted 216-212 to approve the Senate’s budget resolution and advance drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the League of Conservation Voters launched digital ads thanking senators who are working to stop this shameful effort to sell out the iconic landscape to polluters and encouraging others to join them.

The ads are part of a $200,000 push by LCV to stop Congress from approving Arctic Refuge drilling through the budget reconciliation – the same disastrous process Republican leadership unsuccessfully attempted to use to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The ads thank Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) for leading an amendment last week to remove the drilling language; thank Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) for voting to protect the Arctic Refuge; and criticize Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) for siding with polluters.

“The Republican leadership has their math wrong – drilling in the iconic Arctic Refuge may pad polluter profits but it wouldn’t reduce the deficit,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “We will continue to work with our champions in Congress to stop this ridiculous plan in its tracks. It’s time for members like Senator Cory Gardner to reverse course and side with people over their industry friends.”

Sample ads can be found here, here and here. The budget resolution calls for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to draft a bill by November 13, and the Trump administration is aiming to pass the measure as part of a broader tax package by the end of the year.

The Arctic Refuge is America’s most iconic wildlife refuge and one of the largest remaining intact ecosystems in the world. It has sustained the Gwich’in people for centuries, which is why they call it “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.” The Arctic Refuge is also home to an incredible array of wildlife, including caribou, wolves, polar bears, and nearly 200 species of migratory birds.

The digital ads are part of LCV’s “Our Lands, Our Vote” campaign, which has been engaging people across the country to stand up for our public lands and waters since launching in June.