President Barack Obama's 2012 budget would eliminate more than $5 billion in public support for agricultural programs, including subsidies to the wealthiest U.S. farmers.
On Monday, Obama signaled that his administration wants to shift federal money away from farm programs, setting up a battle between the White House and legislators from agricultural states. The proposal also will test the political will of some Republican and tea party lawmakers from rural districts who have vowed to trim federal spending.
It's an issue that draws uncomfortable political battle lines: Should Congress deeply cut farm-subsidy programs that help protect national food security, but that critics claim are rife with waste and largely benefit large agribusiness corporations?
