This vote was on adopting a conference report on the bill that funds the Agriculture Department and related agencies in fiscal 2010.  A conference report represents the deal struck between both the House and Senate when each chamber passes differing versions of the same bill.  The measure would provide $21 billion for the Agriculture Department, $2.4 billion for the Food and Drug Administration, $58.3 billion for food stamps, $17 billion for the child nutrition program and $7.3 billion for WIC (Women, Infants and Children).  It also would repeal a ban on Chinese poultry, providing the products met U.S. safety standards.

Herb Kohl, D-Wis., said the bill funds a wide array of programs that “help improve the lives of Americans every day.”

“It provides more resources for food and drug safety.  It delivers low-income housing and supports rural communities who need sanitary water systems.  It fully funds the WIC, SNAP, School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. It expands the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program.  It significantly expands the McGovern-Dole Program so children in developing countries can get school meals. Often, that is the only reason they come to school,” Kohl said.

John McCain, R-Ariz., acknowledged that the bill provides important services, but criticized Democrats for including too much money for member pet projects, known as earmarks.

“I agree that we should ensure that our farmers stay out of the red, and that some Federal involvement is necessary to assist low-income families under nutrition programs. Unfortunately, Congress once again has conformed to the practice of diverting precious taxpayer dollars into an array of special interest pork projects which have not been authorized or requested by the administration,” McCain said.

By a vote of 76-22, the conference report was adopted.  All but one Democrat present voted for the measure.  Of Republicans present, 19 voted for the measure and 21 voted against it.  The end result is that the Senate adopted the conference report on the fiscal 2010 Agriculture Department spending bill and sent it to President Obama.