Sixty organizations are trying to stop the US Department of Agriculture from moving two agencies away from the Washington DC area. They're asking Congress to make sure no money in USDA appropriations bills can be used to re-locate the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
The Quad Cities is one of 136 metro areas that's hoping to host one or both, if they move, because of the hundreds of jobs they would bring.
Opponents say the USDA made the decision without input from the public or Congress and without a cost-benefit analysis. And they believe re-location would, "undermine the quality and breadth of the work these agencies support and perform."
The list of opponents ranges from the American Malting Barley Association and Natural Resources Defense Council, to the National Organic Coalition and Center for Food Safety.