(May 14, 2008)—The U.S. Senate is taking up debate on a $290 billion farm bill that sailed through the House with a veto-proof margin Wednesday.
Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, both supported the measure, which doles out additional subsides for farmers and includes money for lawmakers' pet projects.
About two-thirds of the bill would pay for nutrition programs such as food stamps and emergency food aid for the needy.
Some $30 billion would pay farmers to leave their land idle and to other environmental programs.
The president promises to veto the five-year bill saying it's too expensive and gives too much to wealthy farmers.
Bypassing the president's veto may prove an even easier task in the Senate where farm states have greater representation than in the House.
“This bipartisan Farm Bill makes real reforms that will strengthen American agriculture to meet the 21st century needs of the United States and provide a safe, low cost food supply for American families,” Edwards said.
“Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of America, and despite rising food prices, Americans still spend the lowest percentage of their income in the world for food because of the success of the programs under the Farm Bill. If you don’t like the high cost of foreign OPEC oil, just imagine how high food prices would be if the U.S. was dependent on foreign farms for our food supply,” Edwards said.
Carter echoed the sentiment.
“America’s agriculture community is responsible for providing the food and fiber for our country. Our farmers and ranchers have been waiting far too long for legislation that reforms farm policy, and protects the safety net for all of America’s food and fiber producers. We must continue to put forth policies that protect American producers and consumers while keeping America’s food and fiber dependency here at home,” Carter said.
“While this bill is not perfect, it is the result of months of bipartisan compromise and is a strong step in the direction of farm policy reform-reform that must not be delayed any further,” Carter said.
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