Farm Aid Bill Passes Despite Threat of Veto
Senate Republicans sent their $4.1-billion farm aid package to President Clinton on Tuesday despite his threat to veto it in an attempt to add more money.
Clinton and the Democrats have pushed a $7.3-billion plan that would rely mostly on giving farmers an extra $5 billion through a program that subsidizes growers when commodity prices fall below set levels.
The 55-43 Senate vote means the $60-billion overall agriculture spending bill, to which the relief package is attached, is on hold until lawmakers reach an agreement, which must come soon. GOP leaders have said they hope to complete all of their spending work by this weekend, when Congress is scheduled to adjourn.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said that if the president vetoes the bill, Republicans plan to try to attach it to an omnibus spending bill with other appropriations measures.
“To veto the bill creates more delay, more uncertainty,” said Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), who chairs the agriculture appropriations subcommittee. “Farmers need help now.”
Other Republicans reiterated their fierce opposition to additional money, with Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.) urging Clinton to “withdraw his foolish veto threat.”
The House passed the agriculture bill on Friday by an overwhelming vote of 333 to 53.
But the Senate’s vote isn’t enough to override a veto, a fact that gave Democrats hope for a compromise.
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