WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives John Duarte (R-CA-13), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12) reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, H.R. 4319, which creates a workforce solution for America's agriculture industry, one of the most critical sectors of the national economy.
The bill, which passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support in the 116th and 117thCongresses, updates the H-2A agricultural guest worker program and is a compromise solution that provides needed stability for working families and farmworkers.
"America relies on the hardworking men and women who help put food on our table. These individuals protect our food security and provide working families with high-quality, affordable food. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act helps our Valley by protecting our workforce, ensuring the future of our farms, and bringing working families out of the shadows. I am proud to join both Democrats and Republicans alike in helping reintroduce this crucial piece of legislation," said Rep. John Duarte.
Background
The bill was negotiated with input from farmers, agricultural stakeholders, labor organizations, and farmworker advocates. Upon its initial introduction, it became the first agriculture labor reform legislation to pass the House of Representatives since 1986. Since its passage, a bipartisan coalition of Members have continued working to move the bill through the legislative process.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act:
- Reforms the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers.
- Establishes a program for agricultural workers in the United States to choose to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy.
- Focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs.
