The Department of Homeland Security made a last-minute decision to uproot its Plum Island foot-and-mouth disease research facility off the coast of New York and move it to Manhattan, Kansas on January 12th. The Department asked for public comments on its proposal - but made its decision before the public comment period had closed. And when the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs considered President Obama’s nomination for Under Secretary for the Science and Technology Directorate last week - Montana Senator Jon Tester urged O’Toole to direct the department to reconsider its decision.

R-CALF USA President Max Thornsberry said the decision hasn’t been implemented yet and work is being done to encourage the Senate to take steps to reverse this decision before the health of the nation’s cattle is put at risk. Thornsberry says those who oppose the move are thankful Senator Tester has taken an important step to reverse this decision and are hopeful his actions will cause the new administration to act appropriately without need for congressional action.