http://ilfb.aghost.net/index.cfm?show=4&id=13738
WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent, reported that Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., announced the Senate would vote early Thursday afternoon on a resolution of disapproval of the same rule to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian cattle on March 7,.
A U.S. District judge in Billings, Mont., Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order stopping the USDA from implementing the rule opening the border and calling for a trial on the rule. The judge, Richard Cebull, indicated he would issue a statement Thursday on his reasons for making the ruling, according to news reports. The U.S. border has been closed to Canadian cattle since May 2003 when a Canadian cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease.
The lawsuit against USDA was brought by the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, a group of livestock producers. R-CALF contends that Canadian protections against BSE are not strong enough.
Conrad secured 33 signatures from senators Wednesday, more than the 30 needed to file a discharge petition requiring quick Senate action on the resolution. The Conrad spokesman said he expected about two hours of debate prior to the vote.
If the resolution passes the Senate, it could spur similar action in the House, according to Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., one of the strongest opponents of the border opening in the House. But to go into effect, the congressional resolution of disapproval would require President Bush's signature, which is unlikely, or an override of a presidential veto.
WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent, reported that Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., announced the Senate would vote early Thursday afternoon on a resolution of disapproval of the same rule to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian cattle on March 7,.
A U.S. District judge in Billings, Mont., Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order stopping the USDA from implementing the rule opening the border and calling for a trial on the rule. The judge, Richard Cebull, indicated he would issue a statement Thursday on his reasons for making the ruling, according to news reports. The U.S. border has been closed to Canadian cattle since May 2003 when a Canadian cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease.
The lawsuit against USDA was brought by the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, a group of livestock producers. R-CALF contends that Canadian protections against BSE are not strong enough.
Conrad secured 33 signatures from senators Wednesday, more than the 30 needed to file a discharge petition requiring quick Senate action on the resolution. The Conrad spokesman said he expected about two hours of debate prior to the vote.
If the resolution passes the Senate, it could spur similar action in the House, according to Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., one of the strongest opponents of the border opening in the House. But to go into effect, the congressional resolution of disapproval would require President Bush's signature, which is unlikely, or an override of a presidential veto.
Comment