Farm bill could be postponed until 2009
Associated Press - November 15, 2007 3:03 PM ET
CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A new farm bill may be delayed in the Senate until after the 2008 elections.
Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says the current law may be extended for a year if Democrats fail tomorrow in an attempt to end debate over the bill.
The measure has been stalled for more than a week as Republicans and Democrats bicker over how many amendments will be offered.
The Bush administration has threatened to veto the $286 billion measure, saying it's too expensive and would pay too much money to farmers who are already well off.
A number of House Republicans from farm states say they will support an extension so that farmers and ranchers can plan and plant next year's crops.
The House Agriculture Committee chairman, Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson, says talk of an extension is premature.
Associated Press - November 15, 2007 3:03 PM ET
CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A new farm bill may be delayed in the Senate until after the 2008 elections.
Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says the current law may be extended for a year if Democrats fail tomorrow in an attempt to end debate over the bill.
The measure has been stalled for more than a week as Republicans and Democrats bicker over how many amendments will be offered.
The Bush administration has threatened to veto the $286 billion measure, saying it's too expensive and would pay too much money to farmers who are already well off.
A number of House Republicans from farm states say they will support an extension so that farmers and ranchers can plan and plant next year's crops.
The House Agriculture Committee chairman, Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson, says talk of an extension is premature.