Wisconsin Ag Connection - National/World News - Coleman: Bush Veto of Farm Bill Would be a Terrible Mistake

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Coleman: Bush Veto of Farm Bill Would be a Terrible Mistake
USAgNet - 05/05/2008

As negotiators in Congress continue to struggle to send a Farm Bill to the White House that won't be vetoed by President George W. Bush, Minnesota's Republican senator in Washington, D.C. told reporters that Bush would be making a "terrible mistake" if he vetoes the five year, almost $300 billion bill.

"The president is wrong if he vetoes it, and I will work very aggressively to override it," Coleman said in a conference call. "I hope it won't get to that point."

According to the Crookston Times, the senator made his remarks hours before Congressional negotiators were unable to hammer out a bill to everyone's liking. As a result, they sent the sixth extension of the current farm legislation to the White House. Meanwhile, negotiations continue on a bill that, in its current form, the president has described as "bloated" because it contains too many subsidies for too many wealthy farmers in times of high commodity prices. The latest extension gives Congress two more weeks to finish the bill.

In times of high food prices, Coleman stressed that 70 percent of the farm bill is tied to nutrition programs. He said the bill also contains important commitments to biofuels like cellulosic ethanol, which would move the country beyond only corn-based ethanol.

"This Farm Bill is not a partisan bill," Coleman said. "I've worked hand in hand with my fellow Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senator Conrad (Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota) is very active."

The new Farm Bill contains significant reforms, Coleman contends.