In Walz says farm bill vote could come next week, MPR reports:
Democratic Rep. Tim Walz said a new five-year farm bill could get a vote as early as next week. Congress will likely pass another one week extension of the current farm law.
Walz said the bill would cut more than $300 million in direct subsidy payments to farmers. He said the cuts may not be enough for the president, but he said both the House and Senate have strong support for the bill.
"We're very optimistic at least that this thing could be on the floor as early as next week. We will probably vote later this afternoon for another one week extension," Walz said.
According to an Associated Press report from three hours ago, Congress sends Bush sixth extension of farm law. The extension is for two weeks:
Congress has sent a sixth extension of farm and nutrition programs to President Bush as lawmakers struggle to finish a farm bill that can survive a presidential veto.
Both the House and the Senate on Thursday passed a two-week extension of current law. Bush has threatened to veto the new legislation and has indicated he is not happy with the bill's progress, saying earlier this week that it is "bloated" with subsidies for wealthy farmers
It's not just farm state legislators working to get the bill passed:
Farm groups are not the only interests lobbying for the bill. Anti-hunger organizations are also pushing Congress to finish the legislation, as around two-thirds of the bill's cost would pay for food stamps and other nutrition programs. The legislation includes a more than $10 billion boost for nutrition.
Rising food costs* have added to that urgency.
"I cannot overemphasize how important it is for our elected officials in Washington, including President Bush, to complete their work on the farm bill and bring hope to the 25 million Americans our network serves," said Vicki Escarra, president of America's Second Harvest.
The MPR report also notes that President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation. Who will be working to override that veto, if it comes? See if you can figure out which lawmaker the report stresses:
Republican Sen. Norm Coleman said he will work to override a presidential veto.
Coleman said the nation needs a farm bill that helps feed hungry people and provides a strong safety net for farmers.
"I believe that would be a terrible mistake," he said. "The president's wrong if he vetoes the farm bill. I will work very aggressively to override that veto. You know perhaps we won't get to that point but this is not -- the farm bill is not a partisan bill."
Coleman and other farm bill supporters say the legislation contains significant reforms. Coleman would not say whether he thinks a congressional override attempt would be successful if the president follows through on his veto threat.
Walz said he believes lawmakers who support the farm bill have enough votes to override a potential presidential veto.. . .
Update: Ed Felker has posted more on Walz and Coleman's statements at the Post Bulletin's Political Party blog [end update].
We look forward to the letters to the editor and talking points scolding Walz for his work on the Farm Bill, while praising Senator Coleman. That will be a good one.
*Bush doesn't attribute rising food costs to biofuels nor does he seem to object to subsidies for the biofuels industry. See the third and fourth questions and answers during his April 29 press conference.
Comments