Don't worry too much; they'll open it next year. GOP doesn't want the budget held up, and voting to open ANWR in, say, February will be touted as an election year victory for Republicans. I have a feeling this is more strategic than surrender. The House (not the Senate) has been pretty Conservative these days.
I certainly hope so.
Although I like the idea of an aggressive energy policy as an election wedge issue. As a sop to the gas price issue, which may or may not lose its steam into the next election cycle.
titan, you are so wrong, The only reason it passed the senate is because they can't filibuster the budget and it only takes 51 votes to pass. If this were a stand alone bill, it would never get through the senate.
Your analysis is as bad as Jeff Fisher's game plan on game day.