Congress Agree on New Farm Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — It isn't just farmers who will benefit from the sweeping farm bill that Congress has sent to President Barack Obama. There's also help for rural towns, grocery stores in low-income areas and, most notably, the nation's 47 million food stamp recipients. After years of setbacks, the Senate passed the nearly $100 billion-a-year farm bill with a 62-38 vote Tuesday. The White House said the president will sign the bill Friday in Michigan. Farmers in every region would still receive generous subsidies — from Southern peanut growers to Midwest corn farmers and the dairy industry around the country. The support is designed to provide a financial cushion in an unpredictable industry. But the bulk of its cost is for the food stamp program, which aids 1 in 7 Americans.