Pat Roberts links(Baltimore Sun commentary) A mostly symbolic blow to al-Qaida: The Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence committee, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, cautioned that al-Zarqawi’s death might spark a fresh round of attacks in Iraq. But the cooperation that the administration said was provided by Iraqis in finding the terrorist leader was a good sign for both Iraq and the fight against terrorism, Roberts said. “We hope it’s a turning point, and I think that everybody should recognize that it is a big step,” he said in an interview.(San Antonio Express-News commentary) Long battle remains after al-Zarqawi death: But if he was the face of terrorism, the body remains – the anonymous grunts in this evil campaign against peace and stability – and it would be foolhardy to think that the rebel attacks will die along with al-Zarqawi. “We can expect more aggressive action and follow-up (from the U.S. military),” Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told reporters. “But we should also understand, this success may be followed by retaliation with an increase in violence – but we should not be discouraged.”(CNN) World reacts to al-Zarqawi death: (Roberts said,) “As Central Intelligence Agency Director Gen. Hayden told me this morning, better cooperation, hard work and patience paid off. Gen. Hayden also stressed this obviously was a joint success with regard to both human intelligence and signals intelligence — and a result of greater cooperation among our military forces, intelligence assets and Iraqi forces. We can expect more aggressive action and follow-up. But we should also understand, this success may be followed by retaliation with an increase in violence — but we should not be discouraged. In addition there may well be a succession struggle within the insurgency of which we can take advantage. Zarqawi’s death and the information we have obtained will make the leadership of the insurgency more vulnerable.”Sam Brownback links(AP) Ag aid hopes vanish: Farmers and ranchers hoping for federal help for the cost of natural disasters and soaring energy prices are out of luck, much to the dismay of Midwestern lawmakers. Negotiators working on a $94.5 billion compromise spending bill for the Iraq war and hurricane relief have eliminated a provision that would have provided $4 billion in farm disaster aid. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said he was disappointed the conference committee did not include disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers around the nation, though he backed Bush’s pledge to veto the measure if it exceeded the White House-approved limit of $94.5 billion.(Infection Control Today) U.S. Approves Wild Bird Avian Flu Surveillance Network: In an effort to improve the tracking of avian influenza, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded $5 million in support for a new initiative that will monitor wild bird populations for the disease around the globe, according to the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which will spearhead the project involving more than a dozen private and public partners. The GAINS program enjoys strong bipartisan support in Congress from Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT3) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY18), who have all championed the early warning system. “As co-chair of the Senate Conservation Caucus, I think the GAINS program will play an important role in developing a global pandemic influenza tracking infrastructure, which could ultimately help save millions of lives,” added Brownback. “We should take steps such as monitoring viral mutations in wild birds so we can tackle any future pandemic influenza outbreaks.”(DigitalAnimators.com) Bush Sent Bill Upping Broadcast-Indecency Fines: Fueled by public outrage over Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl halftime breast flash on live national television in 2004, the House passed and sent President Bush a bill Wednesday that would raise radio- and TV-indecency fines tenfold, from $32,500 to $325,000 per offense under a $3 million cap for any single act. The House voted 379-35 to approve a bill (S. 173) that originated in the Senate and passed that body May 18 by unanimous consent. “This is a victory for children and families,” Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), sponsor of the Senate bill, said after the House vote. “Raising the fines for abusing the public airwaves will hold broadcasters accountable for the content and consequences of their media.”(AXcess News) Bush Promotes Immigration Reform at Hispanic Prayer Breakfast: Moments after making remarks about the death of Iraqi insurgency leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, President Bush switched gears and promoted his immigration reform agenda at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. “There’s a reasonable way to uphold our laws and treat people with respect,” Bush said, “and that is this: if you’ve paid your taxes, you’ve been here for a while, you can prove that you’ve been working, you’ve got a clean background; if you want to become a citizen, you pay a fine, you learn English, you learn the values and ideals of America that have made us one nation under God.” The breakfast at the J.W. Marriott Hotel a few blocks away, was attended by several members of Congress and other government officials, including Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.; Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.; Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.; and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Kennedy and Reid spoke to the group.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.