Farm Workforce Modernization Act Updt Pt 1

Farm Workforce Modernization Act Updt Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. With only a couple of weeks remaining in the lame-duck legislative session in Congress, the push is on to get Senate passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says they’ve been making some progress in recent days …

NEWHOUSE … “Some of the stumbling blocks or the challenges in the House language are being addressed in a positive way in the Senate. And so, I think the number of Republican Senators that are indicating support or a likelihood of voting yes is growing.”

One of the issues, Newhouse says is farm wages …

NEWHOUSE … “We just recently got the projected wage numbers, the percentage and the amount of increases that each state would see in the Adverse Wage Rate is pretty significant for some states, 14-15% increases over last year.”

But, Newhouse says, part of the bill limits the amount of increases …

NEWHOUSE … “So that we don’t see these double-digit jumps in wage rates. And so, I think seeing those kinds of numbers will actually help some of the Senators and farm groups see the importance of getting this bill done.”

Tune in tomorrow for more on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and what might be the one sticking point.

Previous ReportPost-Election for Ag Pt 2
Next ReportFarm Workforce Modernization Act Updt Pt 2