Many Republicans who swept rural Democrats from office are now confronting the reality of a promise to reduce spending.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Should that promise cover the farm subsidies that have brought money and jobs to their districts — one that has also directly benefited some GOP lawmakers or their families?
At least 13 Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee lost on Nov. 2, and most of then helped steer generous farm support back home. Many of their replacements avoided the issue of farm payments during the campaign as they focused on broader themes of lowering federal spending and changing Washington.
They'll have to face it soon enough. Congress is expected to begin work on the next five-year farm bill before the 2012 election.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
