Posting a Stop Sign.

ENVIRONMENTAL policy; DEMOCRATIC Party (U.S.); UNITED States Congressional leadership; PETROLEUM reserves; EMISSION control; BUSH, George W. (George Walker), 1946-; BOXER, Barbara, 1940-

UNITED StatesReport Available; ALASKAReport Available

The article presents an outlook for the environmental agendas of the Democratic Party if they win the majority in the U.S. Congress in the November 2006 elections. The Democrats aim to block the Republican plan to open Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development. Democratic leaders plan to hold hearings on policies of the administration of President George W. Bush governing mercury emissions from power plants. Senator Barbara Boxer is in line to head the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.