BY PAUL BARTON
Enquirer Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Bunning said Wednesday he is siding with Sen. Wendell Ford rather than Sen. Mitch McConnell when it comes to legislation related to tobacco farmers.
Mr. McConnell, R-Ky., has joined Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., in supporting $18 billion legislation that would end the federal tobacco program by providing a buyout of farmers' production quotas. The quota program results in price supports for farmers.
Mr. Ford, D-Ky., instead has authored a $28 billion proposal that would preserve the tobacco program but provide economic assistance to farmers and communities to deal with the expected reduced future demand and make a transition to a new livelihood.
Both the Lugar-McConnell and Ford proposals are being considered this week as amendments to a bill establishing a national tobacco policy and raising cigarette taxes to discourage smoking.
"I have a great deal of respect for Senator McConnell and for Senator Ford and when they disagree on an issue this important to Kentucky, it means we have to take a long, hard look at it and to keep a close eye on any developments," Mr. Bunning said in a statement. "But as it stands, I am firmly committed to doing everything possible to preserve the tobacco program."
