This week in Congress

Both chambers of Congress overwhelmingly passed the farm bill last week and now the legislation awaits President Bush's veto. Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican, and Democratic Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud voted for the bill. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, voted against it. The Senate will take up a massive emergency war supplemental spending bill, which also includes billions for domestic spending measures. The House will debate a defense authorization measure, which does not include money for a third DDG-1000 Navy destroyer. The bill likely will pass and it sets up a show down when the bill goes to a conference committee, where House and Senate negotiators will sort out the differences between the two bills. The House also will consider legislation to extend dozens of tax credits for research and development, families with children, and provide property tax and Alternative Minimum Tax relief.