Congress passes farm bill, defying Bush
Congress has sent the White House an election-year farm bill that includes a boost in farm subsidies and more money for food stamps amid rising grocery prices.
The Senate passed the bill 81-15 today. The House approved it yesterday with 318 "yes" votes, which was enough to override a presidential veto.
President Bush has threatened to veto the $290 billion bill, saying it is fiscally irresponsible and too generous to wealthy corporate farmers at a time of record crop prices.
About two-thirds of the bill would pay for domestic nutrition programs such as food stamps and emergency food aid for the needy amid rising grocery prices. An additional $40 billion is for farm subsidies.
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