Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Wednesday denied rumors that he was trying to attach a rider to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge onto a fast-moving national defense bill. Speaking on the Senate floor, Murkowski said, "That is certainly not the case. It would be inappropriate and in poor taste." Only hours later, however, a Murkowski ally on energy issues, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), submitted just such an amendment. Inhofe spokesperson Gary Hoitsma said, "We just feel these energy security issues are so important in light of what’s happened and independent of what’s happened."