Rule vote up first

House Republicans will come out strongly against the first vote in consideration of the farm bill, which will be the vote on the "rule" for the debate. Link here.

At the Republican conference this morning, members sounded united in their objection to a tax on foreign owned companies that was added to the bill, one source close to the committee said. Republicans are saying it is a tax increase and Democrats are saying they are closing a tax loophole.

There are GOP members who are reluctant to vote against the rule because they favor the farm bill, but look for near unanimous GOP opposition on the first vote. Democrats may well have enough votes to pass the rule, assuming few Democrats peel off and vote with the GOP.

There will be an hour debate on the rule vote. After the vote, assuming the Democrats hold sway, the Kind-Flake amendment will be taken up. That amendment would sharply limit farm subsidies.One Washington lobbyist said the Kind-Flake may get more support than expected. If it somehow is approved, the farm bill would be withdrawn at that point.

Once Republicans had a chance to vote against the rule, those Republican members who were going to vote for the House Committee's farm bill will probably still vote for it.

Another amendment to watch is one from the Ways and Means Committee chairman Rangel that would liberalize sales terms for agriculture exports to Cuba. President Bush has threatened a veto on other bills if this is attached to it. Passage of this amendment may complicate final passage of the farm bill because Floridian House members might vote against the legislation.

Remember the House Agriculture Committee farm bill amendment that would transfer border inspectors back to USDA from DHS? That was stripped out at the last minute because of objections by Homeland Security. If it will be a part of the bill, one lobbyist said it will have to pass on the House floor; Rep. Dennis Cardoza will offer an amendment seeking to accomplish just that. While most U.S. produce association support the move of inspectors from DHS to USDA, Lee Frankel of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas believes DHS has made good progress and worries that U.S. growers will try to manipulate the USDA to their advantage and the detriment of imports if border inspectors move back to the agency.

"It's worth staying up for tonight because it will be spirited," one lobbyist said. The debate will likely spillover tomorrow morning and try to finish by noon or 1 p.m, one lobbyist speculated.