This Wednesday, December 11, the House of Representatives is set to vote on H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at securing a legal, stable workforce for American farms.
To ensure this bill moves out of the House with strong bipartisan support, which will increase the odds of the legislation being taken up by the Senate, contact your Representative TODAY and urge them to vote YES on the House floor.
The bill, authored by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), is sponsored by 28 Democrats and 25 Republicans. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act will:
- Establish a program for experienced agricultural workers to earn legal status through continued employment in agriculture;
- Reform the H-2A program to improve ease of use and flexibility for employers, and to provide access for employers with year-round labor needs; and
- Establish a mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for agricultural employment, to be phased in after the other elements of the bill are in place.
More than 300 farm groups representing the spectrum of U.S. agriculture support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, underscoring the critical labor shortage facing the industry. We acknowledge the legislation is less than perfect. However, the only way we secure improvements is by moving the bill over to the Senate where amendments can be added. Please urge your representative to vote YES on H.R. 5038!