The Republicans wanted the CR to go to February so the new Congress, in which they will have more power, could convene and deal with it; the Democrats originally wanted the "Omnibus Bill" (in reality, the twelve budget bills they could not pass this year, cobbled together) since that bill would have tied the new Congress to increased spending levels. The very short term CR was the compromise to prevent govt shut down.
So, defeating the omnibus bill was good; better even, since the fake "food safety" (really "food control") bill S.510 was hidden in the omnibus bill.
But the short term CR means the lame duck leadership has one more shot at the "Omnibus" target before going out of business: the first few days of next week. That agenda still includes S.510!
CNN reported Friday night: "Democrats then wanted to attach [S.510] to a narrower government-funding bill that is expected to pass Saturday but Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, warned he would object if they did. A GOP leadership aide told CNN it would be impossible to approve the food bill quickly unless all Republicans support doing so. Coburn has said he opposes the bill because, he claims, it spends billions and increases government regulations without actually making the food supply safer. A Democratic leadership aide held out hope an 11th hour deal could save the bill the GOP leadership aide warned that it is not likely." http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/17/food.safety.bill/index.html
This is the critical moment when the Federal control agenda will be pushed and while we were all rightfully focused on various bad bills, Leninist food controls will be imposed unless we remain vigilant!
Please continue to PUSH BACK at least daily against this possibility over the next few days, using this Action Item:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5303
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