The National Milk Producers Federation today called for the House Judiciary Committee to advance a bipartisan agricultural labor bill that would be a significant step in addressing America’s agriculture labor crisis, especially given the full House has not voted on such legislation in decades.
The committee today is considering H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bipartisan agriculture labor bill introduced late last month by Immigration Subcommittee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA). NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern urged members of Congress to move the bill forward so work can continue on the measure.
“Our dairy farmers face unique workforce challenges that require a solution from Congress,” Mulhern said. “Advancing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is essential for us to have the opportunity to continue bipartisan efforts to address the labor crisis hurting dairy farms across the U.S. NMPF thanks Chairwoman Lofgren and Congressman Newhouse for their bipartisan leadership in drafting a bill that’s capable of moving ag labor reform through Congress.”
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act advancement enjoys wide support from the agriculture and business community. Nearly 300 organizations on Monday called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to move the bill through the chamber.
“While the bill does include a few provisions that raise significant concerns for the agricultural community, we are committed to working together throughout the legislative process to fully address these issues,” the groups said in their message. “It is vital to move the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038) through the House as a significant step in working to meet the labor needs of agriculture, both now and in the future.”
To watch the Judiciary Committee Markup, click here.
The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.
