Democrats charge that the commission of eight Republicans and eight Democrats was created to give Bush political cover with a pre-determined outcome.
Oil companies favor drilling in the refuge while environmentalists want to preserve it.
Other criticism of the Bush's intentions centered on the risks inherent in the stock markets. Bush said he wants his commission to make good on his campaign pledge to allow voluntary private investment accounts. The makeup of the Social Security commission was by design, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer. The president wants to break that pattern this year. The commission is to present its findings in the fall, and should include a plan for private accounts, Bush said.