Site Navigation
Rep. Collin Peterson, DFL-Minn., says that Congress can complete the farm bill by the first week of May. (MPR Photo/Jim Bickal)
Negotiators reach tentative farm bill deal
April 25, 2008
Washington (AP) — Congressional negotiators say they have a tentative agreement on a multibillion-dollar farm bill.
Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson, who is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, says there's no question that Congress can complete the bill by the first week in May. The roughly $280 billion legislation expands agricultural and nutrition programs.
A key breakthrough came Friday when senior lawmakers agreed to add $800 million for nutrition programs, to be paid for with cuts in direct subsidies and disaster payments for farmers.
North Dakota Democrat Kent Conrad says the shift is "urgently needed because of the run-up in food costs and food prices."
Audio
Photos
More from MPR
- Congress extends farm bill another week (04/24/2008)
- Walz says farm bill is a good compromise (04/19/2008)
- House proposes farm bill changes (02/13/2008)
- President, Congress at odds over farm bill (02/11/2008)
- U.S. Senate passes $286 billion farm bill (12/14/2007)
|
|
