The Nation - News from March 11, 1986

Efforts failed in the Senate to free a package of farm law changes from a dispute over language, but Majority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kan.) said he was prepared to offer a compromise to defuse the politically sensitive issue, calling the stalemate “absurd.” His remarks came after Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) blocked consideration of a proposal to change the language of farm legislation passed last week by the Senate and House. The bill makes several important revisions in the 2-month-old farm act, including higher fees for dairy farmers to meet deficit-cutting targets.