02/16/05 Craig backs is Ag Jobs bill again

Idaho Senator Larry Craig says he has 40 Senate co-sponsors for his Ag Jobs legislation. He is trying to push for its passage this spring because he feels it does two things. First it fixes what Craig says is a broken and cumbersome H-2A guest worker program. CRAIG "We have this great need for about 1.6 to 1.8 million people in the agricultural workforce of which 72 to 75 percent of them are undocumented." Craig says no one can underestimate their value to agriculture in Idaho's Treasure and Magic valleys alone. Craig insists that passage of his bill will also provide more border security. CRAIG "While you're gaining border security you don't want to bankrupt American agriculture by not providing them with a legitimate work force of the kind necessary to work in the fields of Idaho or anywhere else in the country for that matter." But there are many that oppose the Ag Jobs bill, which they see as nothing more than outright amnesty for people that have entered the US illegally. Speaking of jobs, Senator Craig is praising President Bush for re-nominating Boise attorney Bill Myers to the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Myers was nominated two years ago but his confirmation vote got caught up in filibuster last year. Even though 53 Senators voted for Myers it was seven votes short of breaking the filibuster. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott