Conner: top advisers recommend farm bill veto

In his teleconference today, Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner said top Administration advisers will recommend a veto of the Senate farm bill as it is currently constituted. The White House will be issuing a Statement of Administration Policy outlining specific objections soon and that will be available on the Web site of the Office of Management and Budget Conner said both the House and Senate bills rely on "tax increases and budget gimmicks to pay for priorities that deserve to be funded in an honest fashion." Conner said the Senate bill "makes a mockery of the budget process," with $22 billion in budget gimmicks and $15 billion in new taxes.

Still, Conner said he believes the bill can be changed to reflect good farm and good fiscal policy. "It has a long ways to go."

Now, will Congress listen to the White House or call the bluff?

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