U.S. Rep. Todd Akin , R-Mo., announced today that he voted “against a 44 percent increase in government spending in the $307 billion farm bill.”

Otherwise known as the ”Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008,” the bill is estimated to cost the government $658 billion over the next ten years.

Akin complained that it offered “few market reforms.”

Here’s his statement:

“I support the 13% of the bill designated for our farmers and agriculture. However 73% provides for an increase in food stamp entitlements, which is an increase that places too high a burden on taxpayers and the overall economy.

“It is inappropriate to ask the average American family, already burdened by increased grocery costs, to foot the bill for this $300 billion piece of legislation.”