Feb 26, 2020Rep. Newhouse to Senate on ag labor reform: ‘Get it done’
Potato and apple industry leaders and several members of the U.S House of Representatives came together outside the Capitol Building Feb. 26 to implore the Senate to pass an agriculture labor reform bill.
In December, the House passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by a 260-165 vote. The bill’s success in the House was likely due to its bipartisan leadership of Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-California), Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho).
Those three were joined by fellow House members Doug LaMalfa (R-California), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) and Jimmy Panetta (D-California), as well as the staff and executive committee of the National Potato Council (NPC), U.S. Apple Association President & CEO Jim Bair and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President Chuck Conner at Wednesday’s press conference outside the Capitol. (See video here.)
Several House members acknowledged the Farm Workforce Modernization Act isn’t perfect, but it largely addresses needed changes in immigration and agriculture labor laws. They urged the Senate to make its own version of the bill and get it passed before the year is finished.
“It’s time for the Senate to perfect it and get it done,” said Newhouse, who added that inadequate labor is the biggest issue facing U.S. farmers today.
Speaking on behalf of the potato industry were NPC CEO Kam Quarles, NPC President Britt Raybould and NPC Vice President of Legislative and Governmental Affairs RJ Andrus.
Spudman posted a series of tweets during the press conference. Here are they are.
.@britter: Farm Workforce Modernization Act Improves reliability of #h2a workers and addresses security concerns. “It’s not perfect, but it represents a significant step forward.” Says industry is ready to work together to get a bill passed in front of the president. #AgLabor
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
Inadequate #immigration laws and H2A program hinders #AgLabor workforce. — RJ Andrus, @ThisSpudsForYou.
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
“We want a legal workforce in the United States and this bill helps us do that. … Bill isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty good.” — Zoe Lofgren, US Rep. of California. #AgLabor
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
US Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) also co-authored Farm Workforce Modernization Act. “With new trade deals and markets opening for ag commodities, we need a labor force.” #AgLabor “We feed the world and if we want to continue, we have to solve this issue.”
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
US Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Washington): “For the first time since 1986, we were able to get a bill through the House of Representatives” regarding #AgLabor
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
Jimmy Panneta (D-Calif.) represents the #Salinas area. “I know #AgLabor is the No. 1 issue facing my agriculture constituents.” … “You don’t see (bipartisanship) like this too often” regarding Farm Workforce Modernization Act
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
“Please call your senators on both sides of the aisle and tell them about this bill.” — US Rep. Doug LaMalfa on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. #AgLabor “We still have 10 months in this year to get this done.”
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
“Every single apple must be picked by hand. I hear from farmers everyday that they leave apples on the tree to rot because they can’t find anyone to pick them.” —
Jim Bair, CEO, US Apple Association #AgLabor #apples— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
US Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Washington): Over 300 different agriculture organizations supported this bill. “It’s time for the Senate to perfect it and get it done.”
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) February 26, 2020
— By Zeke Jennings, managing editor
Top photo: U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) speaks during a press conference on agriculture labor reform on Feb. 26, 2020.
