Whitewash

The Fresh Talk poll question this week was, "Should AQI/border pest inspections be moved back to the USDA from the Department of Homeland Security?"

The final results: 16 yes, 0 no. That's a pretty resounding margin of victory for those who would like to see AQI duties shifted back to the USDA from the DHS.

Depending on the political winds, I suppose, Sen. Dianne Feinstein may offer an amendment to move the inspectors back to USDA during farm bill debate this week.

Speaking of, it looks like the earliest the farm bill will be up is Tuesday afternoon. Here is the Senate's agenda for tomorrow, passed on by Kate at the Senate Agriculture Committee:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The Senate will convene at 10am.

The Senate immediately will proceed to Executive Session and consideration of the nomination of Robert M. Dow, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

The time until 10:10am will be equally divided for debate on the nomination, to be followed by a roll-call vote on confirmation of this nomination.

Upon disposition of the Dow nomination, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 12:30pm, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. The first half will be under Republican control; the next half will be under Democratic control.

· The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm for the Weekly Caucus Lunches.