Farm bill wins veto-proof majority in House

The House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve a new farm bill as scores of Republicans ignored a veto threat from President Bush.

The bill was passed in a 318-106 vote, more than enough support to override a veto, assuming members stick to their positions if Bush follows through on his promise.

{mosads}The Republicans who voted for the farm bill also went against their new flag-bearer, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who has said he would veto the farm bill.

The Senate, where it is also expected to receive a veto-proof majority, could take up the legislation as early as Wednesday night.

The administration has sparred in recent days with Democrats over the bill’s costs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new bill would increase spending levels by $10 billion, but the administration has insisted the figure is $20 billion.

Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle on Wednesday criticized Congress for considering this farm bill at a time of record farm income. “Commodities are strong and farmers are finally making money in the marketplace,” he said. “What this bill does is increase the spending above current spending for agricultural programs by almost $20 billion at a time when there is record farm income.”

The $289 billion bill authorizes farm programs for an additional five years. Much of the bill’s cost comes from nutrition and food stamp programs, which are increased by $10.3 billion.

But the bill also extends subsidy programs for corn, rice, cotton, wheat and soybean producers, even though prices for some of these crops have hit record highs in recent months.