By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
A bill designed to replace the current H-2A guestworker program for agriculture was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday after a solid push from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members and leadership for a viable worker program for farmers and ranchers.
“TFB leaders and members were very involved in getting this bill passed out of committee,” Laramie Adams, TFB national Legislative director, said. “TFB’s action had a tremendously positive influence on the final outcome. We coordinated conference calls with the Texas committee members to stress the importance of a workable guestworker program for our farmers, ranchers and dairymen. TFB members explained to our lawmakers exactly why new legislation is needed and what would happen without one. We look forward to continuing to work with the Judiciary Committee members to shepherd this legislation through the process.”
The Agricultural Guestworker Act, or Ag Act, by Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia passed in a 17-16 vote Wednesday.
The bill would replace the H-2A system that Goodlatte said is expensive, time consuming and flawed.
“The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Ag Act to replace the broken H-2A program with a reliable, efficient and fair program and provide American farmers access to a legal, stable supply of workers for seasonal, as well as year-round, work,” Goodlatte said.
The bill would allow currently undocumented farm workers to apply for documentation that would let them work legally on farms.
“Farming is a central part of American life and fuels our economy. Although no other country in the world rivals America’s agriculture industry, our nation’s farmers face many obstacles in today’s global economy,” Goodlatte said. “One challenge in particular is access to a stable and reliable workforce when not enough American workers can be found to fill jobs. The current agricultural guestworker program is unworkable for farmers, buries them in red tape and excessive costs, and must be replaced.”
It would also, for the first time, allow dairies to participate in the guestworker program. Aquaculture operations, food processors and others would also be covered.
If enacted, the new guestworker program would fall under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, instead of the Department of Labor, where the H-2A program is housed.
“These changes will help ensure that our meat and produce continue to be grown in America and that our nation’s agricultural industry thrives in the global marketplace,” Goodlatte said. “I look forward to continue working with members of Congress on this bill so that farmers can continue growing our food and our economy with the assurance that their labor needs will be met.”
House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway of Texas said it’s time for an ag worker program that respects both our nation’s immigration laws and keeps American agriculture competitive.
“As a former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Mr. Goodlatte understands the challenges facing farmers and ranchers,” Conaway said. “His bill cuts red tape and institutes a flexible program that accounts for the different labor needs of various producers—be it the ongoing needs of a dairy operation or the seasonal needs of specialty crop farmers.”
Conaway said he looks forward to working with the agricultural community and Goodlatte to shepherd the legislation through the House.
Goodlatte introduced a similar guestworker bill in 2013, but it failed to make it to the House floor.