The Lame Duck III
● This morning the U.S. Senate passed S. 510, “The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act”: the vote was 73 to 25. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives, where it is likely to be accepted without change. The Northwest Horticultural Council had joined the United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association in opposing S. 510 once it had been amended to exempt certain small businesses. This was a pure political act, at odds with a science-based regulatory system for all food sold in interstate commerce.
● Voting for passage of S. 510 today were Senators Merkley and Wyden from Oregon and Senators Cantwell and Murray from Washington. Voting against were Senators Crapo and Risch of Idaho.
● One of the major trade associations in Washington, D.C., is the Air Transport Association of America. The NHC worked with ATA when we were trying to determine the best way to deal with new airline cargo security rules potentially impacting fresh cherry exports. This week it was announced that Nick Calio has been hired to take over the top job at ATA from the retiring James C. May effective January 1. While the news accounts of this change did not mention the fact, Mr. May is the son of Representative Catherine May, who was from Yakima and represented the 4th District of Washington in Congress from 1959 to 1970.
● The Apple Cup will be awarded late this Saturday afternoon at Martin Stadium to either the University of Washington Huskies or the Washington State University Cougars. Fans of both schools who happen to be in the Washington, D.C., area have the opportunity to watch this televised game at the Crystal City Sports Pub under the neutral umbrella of the Washington State Society. Of the Washington state congressional delegation, somewhat surprisingly, only three of eleven have undergraduate degrees from either the UW or WSU. Senator Patty Murray is a Cougar while Representatives Jay Inslee and Norm Dicks are Huskies. Mr. Dicks is awarded bonus points for actually having been a star football player for the Huskies.
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