Drilling bill derailed

The House failed to pass a bill pushed by Democratic leaders today aimed at accerlerating drilling on 68 million acres of land water already under lease.

Fearing Republican attempts to offer amendments that would open the nation's coasts to offshore drilling, Democratic leaders brought their bill to the floor through an expedited process that bars amendments but requires a two-thirds majority vote to win passage.

The vote was 244 in favor to 173 opposed-- short of the two-thirds needed.

While all three Virginia Democrats voted for the bill, the state's Republicans were divided.

Rep. Robert Wittman, R-Westmoreland, and Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk, voted against the bill. Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Chesapeake, voted for it.