Senate overrides Bush veto of farm bill
Senate overrides Bush veto of farm bill
WASHINGTON -- It was a wild ride Thursday, May 222 on Capitol Hill, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture can now begin implementing the long- awaited farm bill after the Senate voted 82-13 to override President Bush's veto.
While debating the more than 600-page legislation, senators discovered that President Bush had vetoed the $300 billion farm bill with a missing 34-page section on trade provisions.
After some political wrangling, the senators voted to overturn the veto and agreed to return after the weeklong Memorial Day recess to resolve the mishap. Congress may decide to pass the trade section separately or arrange another override vote of the complete bill.
Although attention was focused on the procedural issues, farm bill supporters praised the new law's historic investment in specialty crops.
"For the first time, we are looking at a farm bill that helps all farmers from coast to coast, not just the grain-belt states," said Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA). "Growers will see vital investment in research, marketing and export assistance for specialty crops to keep producing healthy nutritious food, while consumers will reap the benefits of expanded feeding programs including healthy fruit and vegetable snacks to school children."
In another hotly debated issue, the Senate approved an emergency war spending bill with an extra $275 million for the Food & Drug Administration's fiscal 2008 budget. At least $100 million would be used to fund food safety programs.
President Bush has threatened to veto this bill, so it is unclear whether the FDA funding will survive.
While debating the more than 600-page legislation, senators discovered that President Bush had vetoed the $300 billion farm bill with a missing 34-page section on trade provisions.
After some political wrangling, the senators voted to overturn the veto and agreed to return after the weeklong Memorial Day recess to resolve the mishap. Congress may decide to pass the trade section separately or arrange another override vote of the complete bill.
Although attention was focused on the procedural issues, farm bill supporters praised the new law's historic investment in specialty crops.
"For the first time, we are looking at a farm bill that helps all farmers from coast to coast, not just the grain-belt states," said Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA). "Growers will see vital investment in research, marketing and export assistance for specialty crops to keep producing healthy nutritious food, while consumers will reap the benefits of expanded feeding programs including healthy fruit and vegetable snacks to school children."
In another hotly debated issue, the Senate approved an emergency war spending bill with an extra $275 million for the Food & Drug Administration's fiscal 2008 budget. At least $100 million would be used to fund food safety programs.
President Bush has threatened to veto this bill, so it is unclear whether the FDA funding will survive.
