WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is a step closer to opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. A budget measure approved by the Republican-controlled Senate allows Congress to pursue legislation allowing oil and gas exploration in the remote refuge on a majority vote. Republicans Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska said Congress can create jobs and enhance energy security by opening a small section of the 19.6 million-acre site to drilling. But Democratic Sen.