Local legislators in support of comprehensive bill to benefit ag workers and employers

As of Thursday (Oct. 31), 44 members of the House of Representatives – 24 Democrats and 20 Republicans – signed on as cosponsors of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Included in the bipartisan mix is Tulare Rep. Devin Nunes, who also signed on to the legislation.

“I came to Washington to solve problems, and we have a major problem when half our agricultural workforce is undocumented and vulnerable to abuse, and our farmers risk financial ruin for lack of a steady workforce,” said Rep. Cox. “I think that everyone who is here should be here legally, and we need to act to steady our agricultural economy.

“Getting people from both sides of the aisle, farmers, ranchers, and labor on the same page is no easy feat, so I am especially proud to support this legislation which will bring U.S. residents out of the shadows, protect their rights, and stabilize the farming economy for future generations,” continued Cox.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act

According to Cox, Farmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A, guest worker program, needs meaningful, bipartisan reform.  The Farm Workforce Modernization Act creates a workforce solution for America’s agriculture industry by providing stability, predictability, and fairness to one of the most critical sectors of our nation’s economy. 

In a nutshell, the passage of the far-reaching legislation comes with strict guidelines, including requiring that applicants prove at least 180 days of agricultural employment over the last two years. Qualified applicants are provided 5-year renewable agriculture visas and can renew their visas by working at least 100 days in agriculture each year.

There is also an option for permanent resident status, giving individuals an opportunity to – but are not required to – learn Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status. Those applying for LPR status must pay a $1,000 fine before enactment, and they must work an additional four years in agriculture after enactment before they can apply.

The legislation also reforms the H-2A program, providing more flexibility for employers. The bill would focus on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers.

The bill establishes a mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment, ensuring a legal workforce for the ag sector.

In addition to the bipartisan nature of the bill, it has also garnered support from a variety of agricultural sectors, including nearly 250 agricultural groups and labor organizations.

“We have supported numerous efforts to address dairy’s acute labor needs. Passing legislation in the House is a critical step in the process.  We urge the Senate to work with us on this important issue so we can get an ag worker bill across the finish line in this Congress,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.