NEBRASKA /A.P. NEWS
SENATE SENDS FARM BILL TO PRESIDENT
By John Axtell and Associated Press
May 15, 2008 - 11:41:17 AM

The Senate has followed the House and passed a new 5-year Farm Bill despite a veto threat and by a veto-proof margin. The Senate vote was 81-15 while the House tally was 318-106.

The final compromise version of the Farm Bill is slightly smaller than the first at $290-billion dollars.

About 2/3rds of it pays for domestic nutrition programs such as food stamps and emergency food aid for the needy while $40 billion is for farm subsidies.

Senator Chuck Hagel and 2nd District Congressman Lee Terry...both Republicans...were the only members of the Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota delegations to vote against the Farm Bill. Both say it's bloated, loaded with pork, doesn't reform subsidy payments, and doesn't help farmers.

Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson is disappointed the Farm Bill doesn't do more to cap subsidies, but thinks it is a solid compromise.

Republican 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith...while disappointed it took so long to pass the Farm Bill...is pleased with many of its provisions.

All 3 members of the South Dakota delegation agree. In the House, Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin says although it doesn't include everything she'd like, it "ultimately does right" by farm and ranch families and rural communities.

Democratic Senator Tim Johnson says several provisions are a "a solid step in the right direction" for rural communities while Republican Senator John Thune says it "makes great strides" in providing disaster relief and improving the farm safety net.

The Farm Bill includes a first-ever permanent $3.8-billion dollar disaster relief package...a provision Senator Nelson thinks has been badly needed for years.

If the president does veto the Farm Bill despite its wide margins in both Houses, Senator Hagel says he will vote to uphold the veto.

© Copyright  by Double Q Country Radio