US Senate passes Farm Bill by veto-proof majority; override of expected veto now likely

May 16, 2008

In Washington, the US Senate passed the Farm Bill by a “veto proof” majority of 81-15, and the bill now goes to President Bush, who has promised to veto it. The $300 billion Farm Bill contains $209 billion in nutrition programs and $25 billion for conservation measures, for the years 2008 to 2012. In a separate bill, the US House passed a measure extending the $1.01 cellulosic ethanol tax credit to 2015.

The US House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill by a vote of 318-106, a 3-to-1 margin that led Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson, Minnesota Democrat to remark “After this vote, it’s pretty clear we’re going to override the veto.”

President Bush said “If this bill makes it to my desk, I will veto it.” The Senate is expected to pas the bill, which contains a reduced $0.45 subsidy for conventional ethanol and a $1.01 subsidy to cellulosic ethanol, on Tuesday. The Farm Bill has not been vetoed by a President since 1956.