Farm bill stalls in Senate over long-term costs

By Chris Casteel

Published: March 13, 2008

WASHINGTON — Unable to forge a compromise on a new long-term farm bill, senators voted Wednesday to extend the current law until April 18.

Senate leaders said they are optimistic a new bill can be approved this year, though negotiations have been stalled over several issues, particularly how much the bill should cost.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said Wednesday that bipartisan talks are leading closer to a resolution.

"There is still a considerable amount of work ahead before we can pass a bill — obtaining the needed funding for the bill and fitting all of the demands within the funding we expect to be available,” Harkin said. The current law was passed in 2002.

The House and Senate approved their own versions last year of a new farm bill, which includes crop subsidies and money for the nation's food stamp and nutrition programs, but President Bush vowed to veto both because they cost too much and didn't include enough reforms.

Congress begins a two-week recess Monday, which means lawmakers will have only a short time when they return to reach a compromise and pass a new bill in both houses before the new deadline.

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