House farm bill veto override questioned

WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to override President George Bush's veto of a $307 billion farm bill, but the vote could be reconsidered.

Shortly after the 316-108 vote, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, noted one section of the bill approved by the House and Senate was not included in document transmitted to Bush.

"We voted to override a bill that has never been considered by the House and Senate," Boehner said.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said he learned of the inadvertent omission about 90 minutes before the override vote. He said he understood the provision was not controversial so it could be considered either by unanimous consent or on the suspended calendar.

Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., raised concerns that litigation could result because the bill sent to the president was not what was passed by Congress.

When Boehner suggested the vote be vacated, Hoyer asked that House leadership discuss what options are available and what, if any, precedent is available. He said the override had to be considered because the current farm bill provisions expire soon.

Bush vetoed the bill earlier Wednesday.

The measure passed both chambers last week by veto-proof margins.