The Senate's emergency supplemental bill for funding the war in Iraq is packed with pork -- at least $20 billion in non-military earmarks by some estimates. But when Sen. Jim DeMint noticed a provision tucked in the bill to provide $40 million in aid the Christmas tree industry, the South Carolina Republican had enough.

So during debate in the Senate this morning on the bill, the senator introduced a point of order to strike the piney pork item from the bill, saying it violates "Rule 16" of the Senate's standing rules regarding non-germane items attached to bills.

"It's outrageous to spend millions for Christmas trees and ornamental shrubs on a war supplemental," DeMint said.

DeMint's effort was voted down, 57 to 41.

-- Sean Lengell, Capitol Hill correspondent, The Washington Times