House Votes In Favor Of Farm Bill In Veto-Proof Majority

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:42:57 +0000
Nilanjana Bhowmick - AHN News Writer

Washington, DC (AHN) - The House voted Wednesday to pass the $290 billion farm bill that increases subsidies for farmers and food stamps for poor people. The bill gathered 28 more votes than is needed to override a presidential veto.

President Bush has been threatening to veto the bill on the grounds it was too expensive and generous to already wealthy farmers. The bill was dismissed as "bloated, earmark laden" from President Bush's office.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said after the vote, "I encourage members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to support his [President Bush's] stand for fiscal discipline and the best interests of America's farmers and ranchers," reported the Associated Press.

President Bush had argued that a farmer whose gross income is above $200,000 could not qualify for subsidies. However, the bill that was passed hiked the cut-off limit to $750,000.

Two-thirds of the current bill has been earmarked for nutrition programs while an additional $40 billion has been set aside for farm subsidies. Some $30 billion has been marked for farmers to leave their land fallow and other environment-related programs.

The Senate will be voting on the bill on Thursday. The Senate has a greater representation of farm states and hence overriding the veto will be an easy matter there.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "Today's farm economy is very strong, and that is something to celebrate. It is also an appropriate time to better target subsidies and put forth real reform," reported the New York Times.

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