Negotiators Agree on Farm Bill, but Bush Vows to Veto It

By Dan Morgan - Washington Post
Friday, May 09, 2008 - Web Link
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May 9, 2008

House and Senate negotiators yesterday reached final agreement on a new farm bill that will spend close to $300 billion on nutrition, conservation, energy and farm subsidy programs over the next five years, but administration officials immediately announced that President Bush will veto it.

"This bill increases subsidies to farmers at a time of record farm income," Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said. The negotiators "have done a disservice to taxpayers."

The speedy reaction from the executive branch put the spotlight on congressional Republicans, many of whom support the legislation and might be hard-pressed to vote to uphold a veto in an election year.

Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte (Va.), ranking Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, said that he is "favorably disposed" toward the bipartisan compromise bill, but that lawmakers must decide for themselves whether to vote to override a veto. House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) indicated that he will vote against the bill, saying, "I don't think [it] represents our best effort."