WASHINGTON (AP) — There's still a little something for everyone in massive farm bills that Congress is considering this week, even though the legislation would cut billions of dollars from federal farm and food subsidies.
The Senate version of the bill being considered Tuesday makes concessions to Southern rice and peanut farmers, thanks to a new top Republican on the committee, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran. The House bill to be considered Wednesday is even more favorable to Southern farms, which are among the nation's biggest.
Each bill would eliminate some subsidies and consolidate other rural programs, producing billions of dollars in savings a year. At the same time, the bills would create new programs with some of that money and raise subsidies for some crops while business is booming in the agricultural sector.
