Posted on 04/12/2005 3:40:49 PM PDT by 68skylark
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration on Tuesday threw in the towel on the president's proposal to slash farm payments in the face of opposition from lawmakers in both parties.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns told key senators he was willing to look at other programs for spending cuts to hold down the federal deficit.
``We acknowledge that many of these policy proposals, such as the reduction in the payment limit, are quite sensitive,'' Johanns said in prepared remarks to a Senate Appropriations Committee panel on farm spending. ``We recognize Congress may have other proposals to achieve these savings, and we are willing to work with the Congress on other cost-saving measures.''
The president proposed cutting billions of dollars from payments to large farm operations by lowering the maximum subsidies farmers can collect, from $360,000 to $250,000, and by closing loopholes enabling some growers to collect millions of dollars more than the limits.
The cuts would hurt cotton and rice growers in the South and California much more than wheat, soybean and corn growers in the farm belt.
The administration still supports the payment limit plan, Agriculture Department spokesman Ed Loyd said.
``We are signaling a willingness to work with Congress to achieve these savings,'' Loyd said.
Pork is forever.
Scientists looking for the keys to immortality should study magical beasts like 'temporary subsidies' and 'temporary taxes'.
Pork for the farmers and protecting jobs for illegals. Appears to be a win win for Bush.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.