AgWeb.com Editors

The U.S. House worked into the night on its version of the next U.S. farm bill, with the chamber taking two key votes.

The chamber rejected a proposed amendment to the farm bill, offered by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) which would have dramatically altered U.S. farm programs. The measure failed on a 117-309 vote. Kind offered a similar provision in the 2002 Farm Bill debate, garnering 200 votes for that plan. His near-success last time has backers of the House ag panel's bill concerned as floor debate opened Thursday.

The chamber approved the rule for the farm bill debate which included a tax provision which would fund increases in nutrition spending contained in the bill. The provision was derided by Republicans as being a tax increase as it would close a loophole for foreign firms relative to their ability to shield income by U.S. subsidiaries from U.S. taxes. The rule was approved on a 222-202 vote.

Additional amendments are to be considered today when the chamber resumes consideration of the bill the House Ag Committee approved (HR 2419). A final vote is also expected today.

Jim Wiesemeyer has more details and perspective in his Inside Washington Today column found on the Pro Farmer page.