The Senate is likely to vote to end a small but controversial catfish inspection program next week, saving $14 million annually and potentially preventing a trade war with Vietnam.
While other major cost-cutting amendments to the 2013 farm bill face an uphill climb — including ones slashing food stamp spending and capping crop insurances subsidies for wealthy farmers — the elimination of the catfish program is expected to draw wide bipartisan support.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) introduced an amendment to the farm bill to do away with the inspections. McCain and other senators, including John Kerry (D-Mass.), argue the program is duplicative and could provoke a trade dispute with Vietnam.
“We are predicting victory on the floor, we clearly have the momentum and should have the votes, too,” a lobbyist supporting the amendment said.
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