White House says farm bill agreement unlikely

By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House said Wednesday it seems unlikely that Congress will pass a farm bill the president can sign.

A bipartisan group of farm-state negotiators on the five-year, nearly $300 billion bill have been working for several weeks to craft legislation that appeases the White House. But they are still far apart on some issues, including the amount of government subsidies that would be directed to wealthy farmers.

President Bush has called the bill "bloated" as crop prices are at record highs and has threatened to veto it. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said he remains concerned that negotiators have not come close enough to his positions on the bill.

"But members of Congress have continued to work on it, and if they can get there, the president would sign it," Perino said. "But it seems unlikely, and therefore the president would call on them to pass a one-year extension if they can't get to a point where they would pass a bill that he could sign."

Bush met with Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer on Wednesday to discuss federal support for domestic food assistance. Perino predicted the two would also discuss the farm bill.

The White House told Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., on Tuesday that the cost of the bill is still too high, saying negotiators are using budget gimmicks to hide the real expense. The cost of the legislation and the amount of subsidies directed toward wealthy farmers remain the major sticking points between the White House and both Democratic and GOP negotiators.

Negotiators are weighing reports from congressional budget experts on what the bill would cost under several scenarios. They are considering eliminating some government payments to those who make more than $750,000 in farm income annually, which 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 plan to meet again Wednesday. Current law expires May 16, and several negotiators have said they will work to override the bill if the White House vetoes it.

"We are trying to write the best bill we can to generate those votes," said Chambliss.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said the Bush administration "seems intent on destroying the harvest just as the seeds are being planted."

"The White House continues to issue presidential veto threats as farmers plant crops and Congress puts the final touches on a farm bill with strong new initiatives for our nation in agriculture, food, conservation, energy and rural development," he said.