Let’s offer a round of solid progressive thanks to the following members of Congress. They have given their official support to H.R. 5808, the law written by Representative Ed Markey of Massachusetts: “To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from selling any oil and gas lease for any tract in the Lease Sale 193 Area of the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region until the Secretary determines whether to list the polar bear as a threatened species or an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973″.

George W. Bush is trying to delay the decision of a designation of polar bears under the Endangered Species Act until after the February 6 auction of drilling rights in public waters of the Chukchi Sea to big oil corporations. The Chukchi Sea is to the north of Alaska. It’s where polar bears in the United States hunt seals, and its protection as polar bear habitat would require action on global warming, as well as prevention of oil drilling by George W. Bush’s family friends in the petroleum industry. A decision on the the polar bear’s status under the Endangered Species Act was required by law to happen long ago, but President Bush has decided that he can ignore federal law when it interferes with oil corporations’ economic interests.

Representative Markey’s legislation, H.R. 5808, would force the Bush Administration to provide a decision, or to delay the distribution of oil drilling leases in the Chukchi Sea. The following members of the House of Representatives support holding George W. Bush accountable:

California: Howard Berman, Lois Capps, Susan Davis, Anna Eshoo, Sam Farr, Barbara Lee, Jerry McNerney, Ellen Tauscher, Lynn Woolsey

Connecticut: Rosa DeLauro, John Larson

Illinois: Phil Hare

Maryland: Chris Van Hollen

Missouri: Emanuel Cleaver

New York: Maurice Hinchey, Michael McNulty, Jose Serrano, Jose

Oregon: Peter DeFazio

Pennsylvania: Joseph Sestak

Washington: Jay Inslee, Jim McDermott

Unfortunately, that’s just not enough support for this important legislation to pass. If you don’t see the name of your Representative in the U.S. House here, it’s because your Representative has decided not to stand up to George W. Bush on this important issue.

Call Congress now: There’s just one day left during which you can take action. Call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. They’ll connect you to your Representative’s office, and you can leave your message, urging support of H.R. 5808, with them.