“It’s Not Rocket Science": Lawmakers want to address the Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Expanding market access is top of mind, but concerns still linger around farm labor. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act was reintroduced earlier this month, and Washington State Congressman Dan Newhouse says the bill boils down to common sense.

“It’s not rocket science what we’re trying to do. Basically, we want people to be able to come into our country legally, work on farms, in this case, in this legislation, where we need them. And when the work is done, and they want to go back home, they can do that legally as well, without fear of not being able to come back.”

Newhouse says other countries have successfully addressed their ag labor challenges, urging his colleagues to get to work.

Related Stories
Industry leaders say labor shortages and visa caps are putting pressure on the future of domestic shrimping.
Processing slowdowns and invasive species add pressure during peak harvest
Labor supply may shift, but uncertainty remains for producers.
Hiring may ease slightly, but labor shortages remain persistent.
New wage rules improve accuracy but may still raise labor costs.
The Trump Administration’s new rule limiting CDL renewals for immigrant truckers is seeing mixed reactions in agriculture. While some support the change, it is raising concerns about higher freight costs and impacts on U.S. grain export competitiveness.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The network includes labs across the country that track diseases like New World Screwworm, which could see a rise in cases with hurricane season approaching.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) hosted the talks. The senator and doctor joined us on Wednesday on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report to recap the critical discussions surrounding human health in America.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement yesterday at the grand opening of a new food safety lab in Missouri, where researchers will do Listeria testing.
$15 billion in U.S. energy, $4.5 billion ag products, 50 Boeing jets—plus a 19% tariff on Indonesian exports in exchange for U.S. market access.
Following an on-target CPI, the combination could suggest that inflation is cooling.