Congress To Pass Farm Bill
Wednesday, 21. May 2008, 03:53:26
The New York Times reports that the House overwhelmingly approved a $300 billion farm bill on Wednesday afternoon, making it probable that the measure will become law despite President Bush’s anticipated veto.
The House result, with 100 Republicans joining 218 Democrats to vote for the bill, made good on the predictions of the bill’s chief shepherd, Representative Collin Peterson, a Minnesota Democrat who heads the House Agriculture Committee.
Although it is called a farm bill, the huge, five-year piece of legislation contains not only aid for farmers but also money for land conservation and rural development — plus money for food stamps for the needy, a priority for many urban lawmakers. It might be an exaggeration to say that the bill contains something for everyone, but the variety of benefits is a key to its strength. It includes, for example, tax breaks for racehorse breeders, a bonus sought by Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader, who is from Kentucky.
A big sticking point is how much money would go to wealthy farmers. Married farmers with joint incomes of up to $1.5 million a year and individuals who make more than $750,000 could qualify for some crop subsidies.
Minutes later, in a display of how the farm bill has split some lawmakers who are usually allies, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican minority leader, attacked the bill as crammed full of special favors, like aid to a Vermont ski resort, that were “airdropped” into the language.
“I don’t think taxpayers should have to bankroll this boondoggle,” Mr. Boehner said.
Related
Joshua Goodman of Bloomberg reports: “Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said farm subsidies in the richest nations are to blame for the global surge in food prices. ‘It’s up to the governments in rich countries to allow for the free flow of grains, beef and biofuels,’ Lula said in speech… ‘The protectionism barriers in favor of products from rich nations are unacceptable.’”
Keywords
farmbill, farmsubsidy, farm subsidy, agriculturalsubsidy, agricultural subsidies,
The House result, with 100 Republicans joining 218 Democrats to vote for the bill, made good on the predictions of the bill’s chief shepherd, Representative Collin Peterson, a Minnesota Democrat who heads the House Agriculture Committee.
Although it is called a farm bill, the huge, five-year piece of legislation contains not only aid for farmers but also money for land conservation and rural development — plus money for food stamps for the needy, a priority for many urban lawmakers. It might be an exaggeration to say that the bill contains something for everyone, but the variety of benefits is a key to its strength. It includes, for example, tax breaks for racehorse breeders, a bonus sought by Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader, who is from Kentucky.
A big sticking point is how much money would go to wealthy farmers. Married farmers with joint incomes of up to $1.5 million a year and individuals who make more than $750,000 could qualify for some crop subsidies.
Minutes later, in a display of how the farm bill has split some lawmakers who are usually allies, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican minority leader, attacked the bill as crammed full of special favors, like aid to a Vermont ski resort, that were “airdropped” into the language.
“I don’t think taxpayers should have to bankroll this boondoggle,” Mr. Boehner said.
Related
Joshua Goodman of Bloomberg reports: “Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said farm subsidies in the richest nations are to blame for the global surge in food prices. ‘It’s up to the governments in rich countries to allow for the free flow of grains, beef and biofuels,’ Lula said in speech… ‘The protectionism barriers in favor of products from rich nations are unacceptable.’”
Keywords
farmbill, farmsubsidy, farm subsidy, agriculturalsubsidy, agricultural subsidies,
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