New Ag Labor Proposal An “Important Step” Newhouse Notes

Farm Country has asked Washington D.C. for years to address the ag labor crisis, and perhaps that persistence is paying off.

Recently, House Ag Chairman G.T. Thompson introduced the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, a move applauded by Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse. Newhouse said this new proposal used many parts of his Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

“It's really an important step in reforming and making more user-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective the H-2A visa program for an agricultural workforce in the United States," Newhouse said. "So very, very pleased that the chairman has been leading this effort. I've been right there alongside him.”

Farm Country Needs To Advocate For This Legislation

Newhouse, a member of the House Ag Committee, said the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act has broad-based support, not only from the agriculture community but in Congress as well. Newhouse added many members of the Ag community are taking time to visit and advocate for this legislation, which he said is a positive.

“Farmers, ranchers, representatives from these groups in Washington, D.C, making sure that members of the House and the Senate are aware and understand the urgency of getting this done.”

A Lot To Do And Not A Lot Of Time To Do It

Newhouse pointed out one concern he has is time; between summer vacations, the mid-term election, and eventually the holidays, there’s not a lot of time to address ag labor. Plus, lawmakers also want to tackle the Farm Bill before this Congress adjourns.

Click Here to learn more about the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act.

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