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''It could have a chance of reducing the price a small amount,'' said Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who joined the chorus against continuing the shipments. ''But make no bones about it, this is no big energy policy. This is one little thing we can do.''

Earlier, the Senate rejected, 56-42, a broader Republican energy plan that called for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and some offshore waters that are now off limits to oil development.

Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said more domestic oil production is needed to keep prices in check and to reduce U.S. dependence on oil imports. But opponents said the Alaska wildlife refuge and coastal waters that have been off limits to drilling for 25 years ought to remain out of bounds to oil companies.

''We can't drill our way to lower prices,'' said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

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