U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said the “politically expedient” move might be for President Bush to sign the farm bill, but added that he is “proud” that Bush is sticking to his principles in promising to veto it.

In a conference call, Schafer repeated that Bush had told him directly that he will veto the farm bill. Schafer criticized the legislation as a budget-buster that will keep funneling taxpayer-funded subsidies to wealthy farmers who do not need the help. He also said it would make it tough for the U.S. to comply with international trade obligations.

The current farm bill is popular in rural America, however, and the new bill backed by Democrats and Republicans from farm states generally extends current policies. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has seen passage of the farm bill as a way to help Democratic candidates in conservative, rural areas of the country.

The bill is expected to sail through Congress as early as next week, and farm-state senators and House members from both parties have said they will work to build a veto-proof majority. Some senators predicted that would not be a problem in the Senate, but it could be more difficult in the House, where GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) has announced his opposition to the measure.

Schafer said the administration faced an “uphill climb” to sustain a veto, adding that he expected the vote to be close.

The agriculture secretary said he was hopeful that voters in local elections would recognize the president’s principled stand, but acknowledged a veto of the farm bill could have an impact on Republicans trying to win House seats in rural areas.

Schafer is a former governor of North Dakota. His successor, Republican John Hoeven, supports the farm bill and said Bush should sign it. Schafer said he had spoken to Hoeven about the matter and that they disagreed.