Alaska leaders claim victory with refuge drilling provision

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska political leaders on Wednesday hailed as historic the passage of federal legislation that will allow for oil and gas drilling in a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The state’s Republican congressional delegation sees it as a win decades in the making, one they say will provide a boost for this oil-reliant state. Environmental groups see it as a big mistake and say the fight isn’t over.

The drilling provision was part of a larger package _ a major restructuring of U.S. tax policy _ that also repeals a requirement that Americans carry health insurance...