H-2A Reform - Newhouse
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. As work continues in Congress to piece together Farm Bill 2.0, there is also talk that lawmakers will soon resume work on farm labor reform.
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says as a follow up to his Farm Workforce Modernization Act, this is something the industry needs now …
NEWHOUSE … “Chairman Thompson put together a working group last year on this issue specifically, H-2A reform, farm labor in general. And parts, in fact, about two-thirds of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been folded into the efforts that the ag committee is doing under the direction of Chairman Thompson.”
And that, Newhouse says is great news …
NEWHOUSE … “I think after we get this Farm Bill marked up and passed through the House, then we’ll be able to turn our attention to the ag labor issue and bring that bill, try and get it done as well. So, very happy about that, that we’re able to make some progress there.”
Newhouse also wants to thank the growers for their support …
NEWHOUSE … “I’ve given credit to a lot of the growers throughout the state of Washington, but also around the country, I’ve been asking them over the last couple of years to reach out to their members of Congress and explain to them how urgent this issue is.”
This being his last term before stepping down, Newhouse says there’s still several months left in the year, so he’s not done yet!
