After a mere three months' reprieve - and alongside the worst oil spill in Alaska's history - the topic of Arctic drilling has been opened yet again. Republicans have now linked the issue to Gulf Coast restorations in a recent budget bill, hoping to lure Democrats to their side by promising that oil funds will be used to restore the coasts and levees. The only Democrat to support the resolution was Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu. The motion passed, barely, 51-49, and the bill now moves on to the House.

You can take action to help prevent even more disastrous drilling by visiting Defenders of Wildlife's Arctic Refuge site and adding your name to the petition, or contacting your senator directly and asking them not to let this happen.