Schrier Comments Don’t Sit Well With Tree Fruit Growers

It should come as no surprise that Agriculture was a major topic during Wednesday’s debate between Dr. Kim Schrier and Dino Rossi.  Washington’s 8^th Congressional district covers west of Wenatchee to the Seattle suburbs.  However one of the responses surprised many in the Ag community.  Tree fruit growers have taken exception to a response made by Dr. Schrier regarding the H2-A program.  She said the program does not work well for the farmers or the workers.

“And can lead to sort of a pattern of indentured servitude where a worker is essentially held hostage by a potentially, potentially abusive farmer, or farm owner.  And so, that’s why we have to have reform to make sure our laborers are protected and we have visas like an H2-A, but a reformed H2-A, so that workers are protected and farmers are protected and get the seasonal labor that they need.”

With Democrats potentially taking the House in November, many anticipate the battle for the 8^th will be important for both parties.

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