Congress enacts farm bill despite president's veto

May 23, 2008|Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Congress enacted a massive farm bill yesterday over President Bush's veto, sending new and bigger subsidies for farmers and more food stamps to help the poor with rising grocery prices.

The 82-to-13 vote in the Senate following a 316-to-108 vote Wednesday night in the House provided Democrats only their second veto override in Bush's presidency.

Not all of the bill that Congress passed last week is becoming law immediately. Due to a printing glitch, the version that Bush vetoed was missing 34 pages on international food aid and trade - a mistake that may require Congress to send the White House yet another bill.

The president contended the legislation was too expensive and too generous with subsidies for farmers who are already enjoying record high prices and incomes.

The $290 billion bill increases food stamps by $1 billion a year. It also increases subsidies for some crops and for the first time subsidizes growers of fresh fruits and vegetables.

House Republicans used the error to plead Democratic incompetence. They complained that Bush vetoed a different bill from the one Congress passed, raising questions that the eventual law would be unconstitutional.

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