WASHINGTON - Northwest senators were divided Friday as the Senate blocked a $286 billion farm bill.

The four Washington and Oregon senators — including Oregon Republican Gordon Smith — voted in favor of bringing the bill to a vote. Idaho’s two Republican senators voted against the measure.

Though politically popular, the bill stalled in a dispute between the parties over unrelated amendments Republicans wanted to add. Democrats failed to get the 60 votes needed to cut off debate on the measure.

The 55-42 vote was a blow to farm state lawmakers who wanted to give constituents expanded subsidies before next year’s elections.

Idaho Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo said they support the bill, but voted against bringing it to a vote because they wanted a chance to offer more amendments.

“This is a strong bill, including many important provisions for Idaho. However, it isn’t perfect, as no farm bill ever is when it comes out of committee,” Craig said. “It is important to have the opportunity to offer amendments and thoroughly debate this comprehensive piece of legislation.”

Crapo said farm families in Idaho and across the country deserve strong federal farm policy, but said Democratic leaders had “chosen to waste the past two weeks, which could have been spent properly debating and voting on amendments to further shape the bill” by limiting debate.

“I cannot support these tactics,” Crapo said. “The farm bill is far too important.”

Smith, one of only four Republicans who voted with Democrats to cut off debate on the bill, echoed the complaints of his fellow Republicans.

“The delays dragging down the farm bill are a feast of partisanship and a famine of policy,” Smith said. “This bill is a boost for Oregon farmers and ranchers and steps up the fight to alleviate hunger. The Senate needs to act to pass it.”

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., accused Republicans of intentionally blocking the bill.

“Unfortunately, our farmers are on the losing side of the Republican strategy of all-out obstruction,” she said.

Murray said the bill will benefit Washington state farmers, who grow more than 250 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops.

The bill provides about $2.2 billion for grants to specialty crop farmers, as well as marketing assistance, research grants, and pest and disease mitigation.

“I am thrilled that for the first time the farm bill includes specialty crops in a comprehensive and meaningful way,” Murray said. “Specialty crop growers contribute greatly to making agriculture Washington’s largest industry.”

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said the bill would help small farmers in Washington and other states compete in an increasingly competitive global market. The bill also encourages consumption of fruits and vegetables and improves disaster protection for fruit and vegetable growers, Cantwell said.

President Bush has threatened to veto the bill, saying it is too expensive and would pay wealthy farmers too much.

The Senate vote could push consideration of the farm bill into 2008 or beyond, said Senate Agriculture Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.