Bush poses one-year Farm Bill extension

Mar 17, 2008 11:02 AM

President Bush on Thursday, March 13 said he would sign the one-month extension of the 2002 farm bill Congress passed this week, but will ask Congress to extend it for a year if legislators cannot agree on a new farm bill by April 18.

"I will sign this legislation to avoid serious disruptions that might result if the current law is allowed to expire without a responsible farm bill enacted in its place," Bush said in a statement. He suggested a one-year extension if the April 18 deadline passes because, "I believe the government has a responsibility to provide America's farmers and ranchers with a timely and predictable farm program — not multiple short-term extensions of current law."

Bush also reaffirmed his veto threat, saying, "I have also made it clear that any final farm bill that includes a tax increase or does not include reform will be met with a veto."

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