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WASHINGTON - The Senate confirmed Edward Schafer as secretary of agriculture with no objections on Monday even though Congress and the administration have differing views over a pending five-year farm bill.

The former North Dakota governor was confirmed by unanimous consent after members of the North Dakota delegation asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to move his confirmation quickly so Schafer can attend the State of the Union Monday evening as a member of President Bush's cabinet.

Senators voiced no concerns about Schafer's nomination at a congenial confirmation hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee last week. But several members of the panel encouraged him to work with Congress to smooth stalled talks on the $286 billion farm bill passed by both the House and Senate last year.

At issue are tax provisions added to both versions of the bill that are intended to raise additional money for farm programs. The Bush administration says the bills use funding gimmicks and tax increases to supplement a farm economy that is already strong, and acting Agriculture Secretary Charles Conner has shown little willingness to negotiate on that point.

The White House also says neither bill does enough to limit payments to wealthy farmers, arguing that Congress should adapt an administration proposal that would ban subsidies to farmers whose gross income exceeds an average of $200,000 a year. Bush has threatened to veto both bills.

In a statement, Bush said Schafer "distinguished himself as an executive with a proven record of results."

"He will work with the Congress to pass a responsible farm bill that will provide a safety net for farmers and protect our lands and the environment, while at the same time ensuring federal tax dollars are spent wisely," Bush said.

Bush nominated Schafer in October to replace former Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, who left the agriculture post to run for the Senate. Schafer was a Republican governor of North Dakota from 1992 to 2000.

"This is an honor for our state," said Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad, Schafer's former brother-in-law. "Gov. Schafer is family to me. I am delighted to see him get this opportunity."

Conrad said his connections with Schafer won't make it any easier to find agreement on a farm bill. The Bush administration has threatened to veto both versions.

"At the end of the day he's part of an administration and we all know that," Conrad said. "His boss hasn't been very friendly to this farm bill."

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