Senate Approves Farm Bill - East Idaho News
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Senate Approves Farm Bill

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GETTY P 112911 CapitolBldgNight?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1370920935102iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Senate passed a bipartisan farm bill on Monday that is estimated to cost the government about $955 billion over 10 years.

The Senate approved the bill — which will fund crop insurance programs for farmers, food assistance for low-income households and humanitarian food aid — 66-27.

Though the Senate legislation will make small cuts to food stamp programs that make up 80 percent of the bill’s cost, its chief sponsor, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., says it includes reforms that will save taxpayers money.

“The Senate today voted to support 16 million American jobs, to save taxpayers billions and to implement the most significant reforms to agriculture programs in decades,” said Stabenow, according to The New York Times.

The Times reported Monday that $24 billion will be cut from spending, including $4.1 billion from food assistance over the next 10 years.

Efforts to cut subsidies for sugar and tobacco in the bill were defeated.
 
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