<p>The Senate voted 75-22 on the greatly debated farm bill today, ending a five-year negotiation and sending the bill to along for final votes by the Senate, according to The Hill. The bill would cut $24 billion from farm spending over 10 years, including a $4 billion reduction to food stamps. Final votes are expected to occur on Monday.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Aides said farm bill amendment votes could still come later Thursday if a final agreement can be struck to vote on a limited number of changes. They were hopeful that having the clock running toward final passage would pressure members to drop many of their amendment requests.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Debbie Stabenow expressed that her bill will support 16 million U.S. jobs. "I don’t think there will be a single bill on this floor that affects more jobs than this one," Stabenow said. "This is an opportunity to cut spending by more than $24 billion."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The bill was advanced with the aid of more than 20 Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he hopes that House leaders will allow a floor vote on the Senate farm bill this year.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Congress must pass a strong farm bill and do it quickly,” Reid said ahead of the vote. “I am optimistic and hopeful that we will advance this bill.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Thad Cochran, a Kansas Republican stated, “We need to pass this bill. It provides a framework for farmers and ranchers to better manage their risks. This bill reflects a real sense of fiscal responsibility yet still provides a safety net.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/303863-senate-votes-75-22-to-end-debate-on-farm-bill " target="_new">The Hill report </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
