As a Republican voter and member of Republicans for Environmental Protection, I want to congratulate U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton, R-Mount Holly, for the critical role he played in forcing House leaders to drop a bad proposal to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

This victory demonstrates that our party's conservation-minded lawmakers can make a real difference when they stand together and fight irresponsible legislation trotted out by party leaders. I'm counting on them to stay firm if the drilling proposal resurfaces.

Saxton and his GOP colleagues showed real courage in resisting the House leadership and standing up for their convictions, the GOP's conservation tradition and the wishes of their constituents.

Thank you, Saxton. Now, let's move forward with a sensible energy strategy that will yield far more economic, security and clean-energy benefits than drilling holes in our precious natural heritage ever could.