Support for the farm bill was unanimous among the region’s senators.

In Kansas, Republican Pat Roberts, as ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was one of the bill’s chief architects and navigators through the legislative process. Republican Sen. Jerry Moran also voted for it.

Both Missouri senators, Democrat Claire McCaskill and Republican Roy Blunt, backed the measure, as well.

The three contenders in Missouri’s Republican primary contest for McCaskill’s Senate seat declined to say if they would have voted for the legislation.

Sarah Steelman said the crop insurance provisions were important, but she cast a dim view of food stamp spending. So did Rep. Todd Akin. His spokesman, Ryan Hite, said that Akin hoped to address some of his concerns next month when the House debates its version of the legislation.

John Brunner issued a statement that he supported expanding markets and a safety net for farmers. But like his competitors, he was not any more specific.