Farm Bill Alternative Offered

Conservatives disgruntled with the Democratic-backed farm bill, up for consideration this week in the House, are planning to pressure members to support a free-market amendment backed by a bipartisan coalition led by Reps. Ron Kind, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican.

The amendment would limit farm subsidies and rein in market-distorting policies currently in place. It is one of many efforts on Capitol Hill to revamp federal farm policy.

The conservative Club for Growth interest group is planning to include the vote on the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy amendment in the group's 2007 congressional score card. The Club for Growth calls the bill supported by House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "disastrous." The club will distribute the score card to other members of Congress and the public.

--Silla Brush