Farm subsidy reform faces 60-vote Senate hurdle

By Charles Abbott

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Reformers will need 60 votes in the 100-member Senate, not just a majority, to limit farmers to $250,000 a year in crop subsidies or to cut off subsidies to wealthy Americans, senators have agreed.

The requirement accommodates the threat of a filibuster, in which foes talk an amendment to death.

But reformers said on Wednesday the move poses an unfair hurdle. Senators are scheduled to vote on two farm subsidy amendments on Thursday.

An amendment to close loopholes and impose a $250,000 "hard" cap on payments was likely to pass in a close vote. The other amendment would deny crop subsidies to "part-time" farmers with an adjusted gross income above $250,000 a year.

Crop subsides go predominantly to large operators -- 8 percent of grain, cotton and soybean growers collect 58 percent of the payments. Small-farm advocates say the payments give big farmers a bankroll to out-bid their neighbors for land and equipment.

Farm law now sets a $360,000 a year limit on crop payments, but it is easily evaded. And people with an adjusted gross income up to $2.5 million are eligible for crop subsidies and land stewardship payments.

"We should not be in the position of needing a super-majority to pass a thoughtful piece of legislation," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, North Dakota Democrat and co-sponsor of the "hard" cap.

The Senate frequently sets a 60-vote "threshold" on items that are controversial or attract fervent opposition. It is a way to short-circuit the time that would be spent in filibuster, where 60 votes are needed to end debate.