Bush: If no Farm Bill by April 18, extend for a year

President Bush said yesterday he would sign "the one-month extension of the 2002 Farm Bill Congress passed this week, but will ask Congress to extend it for a year if legislators cannot agree on a new farm bill by April 18," reports Janie Gabbett of MeatingPlace.com.

"I believe the government has a responsibility to provide America's farmers and ranchers with a timely and predictable farm program — not multiple short-term extensions of current law," Bush said in a written statement. "I will sign this legislation to avoid serious disruptions that might result if the current law is allowed to expire without a responsible farm bill enacted in its place."

Bush repeated his threat to veto "any final farm bill that includes a tax increase or does not include reform." (Read more)