Endangered Species Act & Visa Trouble

Endangered Species Act & Visa Trouble plus Champions of Change. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

The Washington Farm Labor Association announced to its members today that it has cancelled all upcoming Consulate appointments for farm workers seeking work visas due to the inability of the State Department to produce visas. The usually smooth two-day visa process declined in efficiency starting on July 8th, and has been at a complete stand-still since July 21st. As of today, a group of farm workers has been stranded at the border for nine days.

On Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 4315, the "Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act" by a vote of 233-190 with Republican and Democrat supporting the legislation. Washington Congressman Doc Hastings.

HASTINGS: The good thing is is that there are two Senators, Senator Cornyn from Texas and Senator Enzi from Wyoming that have introduced identical legislation that we passed out of the House into the Senate. The good news of the bill that passed the House yesterday is that it had bipartisan support. There are 14 Democrats that voted in favor of that from across the country. I'm not convinced that the Senate will act on it this year.

Now, a "Champions of Change" for Agriculture recipient tells how she inspires to connect to the farm. Susan Carter has the story.

(USDA Report)

Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.