Obama To Sign Farm Bill During Visit To Michigan
EAST LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Congress has given its final approval to a sweeping five-year farm bill that provides food for the needy and subsidies for farmers.
The White House says that President Barack Obama will sign the bill at Michigan State University on Friday during a previously announced visit to East Lansing.
The White House first announced the trip last Friday. It confirmed Tuesday that he will sign the farm bill during the visit.
Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow chairs the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and led the fight for congressional passage of the farm bill.
"We've arrived at a farm bill that works for all of America; for families and farmers, for consumers, for those who care so deeply about protecting our land and our water," Stabenow said on Tuesday. "And this bill will strengthen agriculture for years to come."
The sweeping $100-billion-a-year measure won Senate approval Tuesday on a 68-32 vote after House passage last week.The bill provides a financial cushion for farmers who face unpredictable weather and market conditions.
The bulk of its cost is for the food stamp program, which aids 1 in 7 Americans.
The White House says Obama will give a speech on the importance of the farm bill to the U.S. economy.
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