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President
Bush on Thursday said 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.
"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
said in a statement. He suggested a one-year extension if
the April 18 deadline passes because, "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 also reaffirmed his veto threat, saying, "I have also
made it clear that any final farm bill that includes a tax
increase or does not include reform will be met with a veto."
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