Farm Bill to be Signed This Week

The White House says President Barack Obama will sign the newly passed Farm Bill at Michigan State University on Friday, during his previously announced visit to East Lansing. The US Senate approved and sent the five year Farm Bill to the president yesterday. The legislation slightly reduces food stamp spending, and replaces direct payments to farms, with a farm insurance program. US Senator Debbie Stabenow says overall, the Farm Bill represents a 23 billion dollar reduction in the federal deficit. The cuts come from efforts to reduce fraud and abuse in the food assistance program, as well as cuts in farm subsidies, along with combining certain conservation programs.