But conservation groups are waging a vigorous campaign to persuade Republican moderates to oppose the entire budget measure because of the drilling provision.

Mr. Clinton vetoed this reconciliation bill because of the drilling provision and other items he opposed.

It should be about Mr. Stevens's jeopardizing a bill supporting the troops by adding the drilling provision.

By including a drilling provision in the budget, Senate Republicans can avoid the threat of a Democratic filibuster, which has blocked the plan in the past.

House and Senate committees approved the drilling provisions this week.

The House approved broad energy legislation last week that includes a drilling provision.

Mr. DeLay added about the drilling provision, "We feel very, very confident we will be able to crack the backs of radical environmentalists."

At the administration's request, Senate Republicans have put a drilling provision into a budget resolution that could be voted on this week.

The Republicans came close in 1995, passing a budget with a drilling provision in it that President Bill Clinton vetoed, precipitating a government shutdown.

Congress therefore inserted a drilling provision in its budget reconciliation bill.