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House Easily Overrides Bush's Farm Bill Veto

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The Washington Post

Published: May 22, 2008

WASHINGTON - The House easily overrode President Bush's veto of a $307 billion farm bill Wednesday night, handing him the most significant legislative rebuff of his presidency after Republicans broke with the White House en masse to side with farm groups, anti-hunger advocates and the biofuels industry.

With a Senate override vote all but guaranteed today, Congress prepared to deliver only the second veto override of Bush's presidency and first on a major piece of legislation.

Wednesday's events left Republicans arguing publicly over another lapse in their commitment to fiscal discipline. As with the first veto override that saved the Water Resources Development Act last year, lawmakers of both parties saved a law that promised to shower billions of dollars on key constituents and home-district programs.

"The vote on the farm bill has definitely been a challenge, if you look at it as regaining our fiscal brand," said Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., a GOP leadership member.

Bush vetoed the bill Wednesday, saying, "Americans sent us to Washington to achieve results and be good stewards of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. This bill violates that fundamental commitment." Bush objected to subsidies for wealthy agribusinesses at a time of high food prices and record farm income. The House overrode the veto 316-108.

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