Update: Senate battle turns to farm bill

U.S. Sen. John Sununu and former governor Jeanne Shaheen

U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) and former governor Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) are on opposite sides over the 2008 farm bill.

Sununu and Shaheen are competing in one of the most competitive Senate races in the country.

Sununu was one of 15 Senators that voted against the $290 billion bill.

Sununu said he voted against the bill because it contains subsidies to farms, even though they are experiencing record profits.

"At a time when farms are experiencing record profit, there is absolutely no reason to provide price supports for sugar and extend the ethanol tariff," Sununu said in a press release. "The bill is a continuation of bad economic policy that taxpayers in New Hampshire and across the country do not deserve. That is why I voted against it last December and supported a number of reforms designed to remove subsidies while encouraging conservation."

Sununu's release pointed out that he has cosponsored amendments that would cut farm subsidies, while adding money to nutritional programs and for heating assistance.

"Today, John Sununu had a chance to stand up for New Hampshire families, but instead chose to stand up for the Bush-Cheney energy policy that has resulted in record high gas and food prices, and limited investment in alternative energy sources," Shaheen said in a statement.

Shaheen added that the bill contains programs that would benefit the state including the development of wood-based biofuels and increasing the amount for food stamps.

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-Rye) also voted against the bill, while U.S. Reps. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) and Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) voted in favor of the bill. President Bush has said he will veto the bill.

Update: “How high do food prices have to go before Jeanne Shaheen will take a stand against a pork-filled bill? In attacking my vote, she has given her support to billions in earmarks, payments to farmers earning $750,000 per year, and subsidies that New Hampshire citizens pay for in taxes and at the checkout counter," Sununu said.

Sununu added he supports nutritional programs, but the bill contained wasteful earmarks.

Update 2: "What's out-of-touch is a Senator who dutifully supports the Bush-Cheney energy policy that's gotten us where we are today while New Hampshire families are struggling with record-high gas and food prices.  New Hampshire needs a new direction and a Senator who won't be part of the problem in Washington," Kate Bedingfield, Shaheen's communications director, said in a press release.