by Matthew Hay Brown

President Bush today celebrated the American farmer with a proclamation declaring the start of National Farm City Week – hours after Senate Republicans blocked a vote on the farm bill.

Bush has opposed the $286 billion package, which would authorize agricultural subsidies, nutrition programs and conservation efforts for another five years. The White House objects to the cost.

The House has passed a version of the bill, but the Senate effort failed this morning when Democrats could not muster the 60 votes they needed to end debate. Republicans had complained that they were not allowed to propose amendments that Democrats said were unrelated.

“The Senate will pass a farm bill – that is certain – but only after an open and fair debate,” said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, as quoted by the Associated Press.

Some Democrats suggested Republicans were blocking a vote to spare Bush from having to veto legislation that is popoular in farm states.

“Frankly, I worry that there is a deliberate and orchestrated attempt to derail the farm bill,” said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Harkin had said that failure could push further consideration of the legislation back to 2009.

National Farmers Union President Tom Buis, who appeared in a press conference with Harkin and other Senate Democrats, said it was “vitally important” that a farm bill be approved as soon as possible.

“Farmers need to know what programs are going to be in place so they can make informed decisions for the upcoming planting season,” he said.

Buis called the bill approved unanimously by the Senate Agriculture Committee “a good, fiscally responsible bill that includes record investments in conservation, nutrition, renewable energy development and specialty crop programs.”

At the White House, meanwhile, Bush lauded the contributions of the American farmer.

“Our Nation is blessed by those who grow, harvest, and deliver these products, and we honor their dedication to feeding our country and the world,” his proclamation read. “Our Nation's agricultural industry contributes greatly to the strength of our economy. During National Farm-City Week, we honor the hard work and dedication of America's farmers and ranchers.”

(Bush also celebrated National Adoption Day today, and proclaimed National Family Week to begin Sunday.)