Senators Fight for Farm Bill Changes

On Monday, the Senate began debating a five-year farm bill that would cost $288 billion dollars overall. Advocates who have been pressing for change have placed their hopes on an alternative, cheaper measure.

Since the days of the New Deal, the government has assisted American farmers. That assistance adds up to billions of dollars in direct payments and other subsidies, with much of it going to about one-third of farmers growing traditional crops such as corn and cotton.