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The Senate on Thursday joined the House in overwhelmingly supporting a farm bill, which was cleared to President Bush by an 81-15 vote despite his veto threat. The move followed a 318-106 favorable vote in the House, meaning both chambers provided the bill with veto-proof margins. Only 13 Republicans voted against the bill. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and a majority of his conference supported the bill. The only Democrats to oppose the bill were Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both of Rhode Island. All three presidential candidates missed the vote. Democratic candidates Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) released statements of support for the bill, and both criticized GOP candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), who had said he would veto the bill if he were president. Democrats crowed over the vote and its margin. Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), for example, called it “a banner day for America.” Republicans, many of whom were in the awkward position of defending the president while supporting the bill, were more glum. “I would hope the president is listening,” said Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), who voted for the farm bill. He is one of several GOP senators who face tough reelection contests this fall. “The Senate, representing the American people, made a very strong statement today. If he’s listening, he will avoid a veto.” The Republicans who voted against the bill were Sens. Bob Bennett of Utah, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Jon Kyl of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, John Ensign of Nevada, Judd Gregg and John Sununu of New Hampshire, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Richard Lugar of Indiana and George Voinovich of Ohio. |
