Still Slow Going On Farm Bill

Agricultural supporters scuttled a farm bill amendment that would have slashed federal funding for commodity surpluses like cheese and beef and phase out the government subsidies of public school lunches.

American Farm Bureau representatives said the defeat was a victory for the nation’s farmers.

The amendment would have “transferred money out of the important commodity title of the farm bill -- an area that Farm Bureau believes helps provide a viable economic safety net for America's farmers,” said spokesman Mace Thorton.

Co-sponsored by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), the legislation was also designed to funnel more subsidies to smaller produce farmers and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into school meals.