WASHINGTON - Senators are using the farm bill to make political points on immigration, taxes and other nonagricultural issues, potentially stalling the $286 billion legislation.

Both sides are blaming one another in a procedural dispute that has lasted more than a week and left the Senate at a standstill. Many senators see the bill, which would extend agriculture and nutrition programs, as a last chance to push their priorities before lawmakers go home at the end of the year.

"I'm very disappointed that it appears quite likely there will be no farm bill," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday. He blamed Republicans for attempting to add unrelated items to the bill.

Republicans say they are frustrated that Reid has said he will only allow certain amendments. Reid said Republicans are overreaching by offering proposals that have nothing to do with agriculture. He cited measures that would prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining a driver's license and "at least six or seven amendments" dealing with the alternative minimum tax.

Reid said majority Democrats will try to force action later in the week by voting to cut off debate, a move that requires the votes of 60 of the 100 senators. The Senate is then expected to recess this weekend for the two-week Thanksgiving break.

Democrats, too, have offered amendments that do not pertain to agriculture, including some dealing with immigration. Last week, some Democrats were threatening to use the bill to start a debate on the Iraq war.

"I am a little perplexed as to whether or not the majority actually wants this bill to pass and is trying to simply blame the minority for trying to bring it down," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said.