Hoeven: Senate passes 'strong' farm bill
The Dickinson Press
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Sen. John Hoeven says the Senate has passed a “strong” farm bill that will create jobs and reduce the deficit.
The five-year, half-trillion-dollar farm bill cuts farm subsidies and land conservation spending by about $2 billion a year but largely protects sugar growers. The vote was 65 to 34.
Hoeven says the bill provides $23 billion in savings and introduces a new, voluntary risk coverage program to help producers manage losses.
The measure now goes to the Republican-led House, where conservatives are certain to resist its costs.
The current agricultural program ends in September.