Congressional Democrats passed a $3.5-trillion budget in April that includes many of President Barack Obama's proposals, but rejected his plan to alter the 2008 farm bill by phasing out direct payments for producers with gross sales over $500,000 and capping farm payments at $250,000. Obama met strong resistance from a united agriculture community and the leadership of the House and Senate ag committees. Congressional ag members said cuts in farm programs beyond those already made in the 2008 farm bill would weaken the ag economy.