Farm Workforce Modernization Act Update
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. He may have announced that he’ll not seek reelection next year, but U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse still has things he feels need to get done before he leaves office.
I asked him if he’d be bringing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act back to the floor for another run …
NEWHOUSE … “I would characterize that as working on still. We haven’t let up. It’s been an ongoing conversation. You know, it takes a lot behind the scenes before bills actually “ripen”, I guess is a good term, and they’re ready for consideration in committee and on the floor.”
Newhouse says GT Thompson, Chair of the Ag Committee, has been very good about putting together ideas for this legislation …
NEWHOUSE … “And I’m happy to report that through his efforts and through his working group that he put together most of the tenants of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act have been put together in what he’s trying to accomplish. So, that’s good. We’re building, I guess, a broader base of support and some incentives and initiatives are happening there.”
But Newhouse says it’s never easy …
NEWHOUSE … “That’s one of the frustrating things about Congress. It takes, sometimes, so long to get anything accomplished. That it’s really a test of our ability to stick with the work in front of us. And that’s what I’m trying to help people do is stay focused on this. We gotta get it done.”
Newhouse says farmers have been great lately about letting their Reps know what they need and hopes they keep it up.
