05/12/08 President says he'll veto the farm bill

Congressmen and Senators who negotiated an agreement on the farm bill praised it. Ag Secretary Ed Schafer says President Bush is unimpressed and will veto the bill. SCHAFER "We will be talking to members of Congress about the misguidance of this bill. We think we reflect the people of the United States sentiments today and our efforts will be to point that out to Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike." Here are some highlights of the bill as Congress prepares for this week's final vote. The bill eliminates the three entity rule and implements payment caps for commodity program benefits, provides four billion dollars in new conservation program funding, ten billion in nutrition and food aid, 466 million for specialty crop block grants and 230 million for specialty crop research and more than 600 million for bioenergy programs. Senator Mike Crapo is elated that his Endangered Species Reform legislation also survived and is part of the bill. CRAPO  "To help provide a voluntary mechanism for private property owners to be compensated for actions they undertake to implement a recovery plan for endangered species. This is very important endangered species reform legislation Congress appears ready to pass the legislation. Now it's a question; will there be enough votes to override the threatened Presidential veto? Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott