House votes down controversial farm bill in surprise vote

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican budget-cutters joined Democratic defenders of food stamps to defeat the $500 billion, five-year farm bill backed by GOP leaders on Thursday.

Agriculture Committee chairman Frank Lucas said there may not be a second chance to write a farm bill this year. Lucas' bill called for the largest cuts in food stamps in a generation.

(Reporting By Charles Abbott; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

[Photo of Rep. Frank Lucas via Flickr user National Milk Producers Federation]