FWMA Reintroduced Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. With last week’s reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, work can resume on improving our H-2A visa program and ag labor.
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says now that our borders have been strengthened, we can really focus on getting a legal workforce with fewer complications …
NEWHOUSE … “This year too, I can point to the President saying some very positive things about the need to update our laws as it relates to immigration and labor because he recognizes too that these are people that we need for our economy.”
So, what kind of support are you getting from our Senators?
…
NEWHOUSE … “I just left a meeting with the Spokane
Chamber and, in the hallway, here comes Maria Cantwell and she and I spoke a bit about it. She’s been very helpful in the past and I told her we’d need her help more now than ever.”
How about Senator Patty Murray? …
NEWHOUSE … “I haven’t had a chance to speak to Senator Murray in the last few days, but I will make it a point to do that as well. I think they’ll be on board with us. You know, there’s going to be a lot of positive changes here and, like I was answering the earlier question, the sense of urgency is much greater now than it’s ever been. And so, interest in this, I think, is greater too. So, I’m looking forward to working with our Senators on it.”
Newhouse says this legislation is necessary and he’s committed to working with his colleagues to enact long-term, durable reforms to our ag guest worker programs.
