The Senate's energy overhaul legislation under consideration contained several provisions relating to energy production and extraction in Indian reservations. One provision would allow oil and gas companies to negotiate directly with Indian tribes about oil drilling on their lands. In a move to protect Indians against possible manipulation by energy companies, Senator Bingaman (D-NM) proposed an amendment to the energy bill which would have required that Department of the Interior to conduct environmental reviews of energy projects on Indian lands. Progressives approved of Bingaman's proposal because, in their view, Indians should be protected from energy companies who may, in their negotiations with Indian tribes, misrepresent the environmental degradation caused by their energy extraction activities. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) motioned to table (or strike down) the Bingaman proposal and the tabling motion was adopted on 52-47 vote, thereby defeating Bingaman's amendment.