Bill includes billions in farm subsidies
To its critics, the $307 billion farm bill heading to President Bush's desk is the poster child for what John McCain and Barack Obama promise to change about Washington. At a time of soaring food prices and record farm income, the legislation would authorize billions in subsidies for wealthy agribusiness interests that give millions in political contributions. More than half the subsidies paid out from 2003 to 2005 went to 19 of the 435 congressional districts, according to the non-partisan Environmental Working Group, an opponent of the bill.