WASHINGTON — Briefly putting election-year politics aside, the Senate on Thursday moved toward strong approval of legislation assuring that farmers hit by bad times will be protected and that millions of others hurt by the bad economy won't go hungry.

The Senate is expected to show bipartisan support for the $500 billion bill that sets farm safety net and conservation policies and funds the food stamp program over the next five years. The vote will come after lawmakers finish the final 10 of more than 70 amendments the Senate is considering as part of the 1,000-page bill.

The bill goes next to the House, where there's less enthusiasm for it among conservative Republicans. The House Agriculture Committee has delayed a vote on the farm bill until July 11, and it's uncertain when the full House will vote. The 2008 farm bill expires at the end of September.