White House criticizes farm bill proposal

WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The Bush administration Friday said a farm bill approved in Congress this week is bad for U.S. taxpayers.

The White House said the five-year farm bill is filled with gimmicks that attempt to disguise a $20 billion increase in spending. Congress ought to reconsider the bill, or extend current spending levels for one year, the White House said in a statement.

"At a time of record farm income, Congress chose to further increase farm subsidy rates, require the American taxpayers to subsidize the incomes of married farmers already earning up to $1.5 million per year, and expand government control over farm programs," the statement said.

The bill, which was largely negotiated behind closed doors among farm-state lawmakers, would allow farm subsidies to kick in if prices fall as little as 10 percent below the two-year average.

The White House said the bill fails to "adequately reform" payment limitations and instead allows for excessively high limits on the level of allowable income for receiving farm subsidies.