Farm bill cost still too high

 

 

The White House told members of Congress on Tuesday that the cost of the five-year farm bill is still too high, saying negotiators are using budget gimmicks to hide the real expense.

The cost of the almost $300 billion bill and the amount of subsidies directed toward wealthy farmers remain the major sticking points between the White House and both Democratic and GOP negotiators.  President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation.

Negotiators are weighing reports from congressional budget experts on what the bill would cost under several scenarios.  They are now considering eliminating some government payments to those who make more than $750,000 in farm income annually, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly.  

That would be closer to the White House’s proposal on limiting the subsidies.  The Bush administration originally proposed a cap for those who make more than $200,000 in average annual farm income, but has signaled that it could accept a limit of  $500,000.

Negotiators last week proposed eliminating some subsidies for those who make more than $950,000 in farm income, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by the White House.

North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad said the White House is making up its own rules, and negotiators will continue to rely on congressional budget scores.  He said a veto override would be “a tough mountain to climb.”