Veto override on farm law by late May: Senator

By Charles Abbott

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress could enact the new $285 billion U.S. farm law over a presidential veto by late May, ending 15 months of work to overhaul U.S. farm policy, the Senate Agriculture Committee said on Friday.

The House and Senate are expected to pass the five-year bill next week. A veto, promised by the Bush administration, would follow in a few days, allowing time for Congress to override the veto before the Memorial Day holiday.

Agriculture chairman Tom Harkin, Iowa Democrat, outlined the likely sequence during a briefing. He said urban lawmakers would support the bill because it increases food stamp benefits and would expand federal donations to food pantries.

The bill also puts more money into land stewardship programs, promotes specialty crops and encourages biofuel development. It would deny some crop subsidies to the wealthiest Americans, perhaps a few thousand by one estimate.

To succeed, both chambers must pass an override by a two-thirds majority.

"Getting a two-thirds vote any time is challenging," said Sen. Kent Conrad, North Dakota Democrat, referring to the House. The House passed its farm bill, 231-191, last July. The Senate passed its version, 79-14, in December.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said the administration will fight to uphold the veto. "I think it is an uphill struggle," Schafer said with Democrats in control of Congress. "We plan on sustaining a veto."

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Agriculture Committee say they aim for a veto-proof majority in next week's vote as a show of support for the bill.