Amodei Supports House Passage of Farm Workforce Modernization Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Logan Tucker, 202-225-6155

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) today released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm workforce Modernization Act of 2019, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would establish a new employment-based immigration program for agricultural workers, requiring significant past and future work commitments, to ensure the stability of American agriculture. This legislation has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the support of more than 300 agricultural and agribusiness associations, and was developed through an exhaustive process which included input from agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations.

“I’ve been around long enough to know the standard talking point critics will be out in full force following today’s vote. However, as has always been my practice, I’ve taken a deeper dive on this bill rather than relying on surface-level talking points.

“One of my specific reasons for supporting this bill, includes the reforms being made to wage inflation for the H-2A program, capping the annual growth of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 10 years. In Nevada, double-digit AEWR increases in recent years have put a squeeze on agricultural employers that use the H-2A program, and I’ve heard strong support for the decade of wage stability and predictability this bill will provide.

“When it comes to criminal concerns, which are always one of my top priorities, there is nothing in this bill that prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from reporting all property and personal offences to state and local law enforcement and all felony infractions to federal law enforcement.

“With respect to green cards, between the various waiting periods proposed in this legislation, a green card would have to be earned over a period of 9-14 years. This reform will also go a long way in alleviating labor shortages for producers who face year-round needs, like the dairy industry.

“Finally, while instituting a new right of action for H-2A workers under the Migrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act (MSPA), which they already have under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), H.R. 5038 establishes a new sixty-day mandatory mediation period before litigation can move forward, giving employers and workers an opportunity to work out differences outside of the courtroom.

“Overall, this legislation represents a responsible first step in finally getting the ball rolling on immigration reform. As I have said before, the status quo doesn’t work for any interest group, and while reforms to this issue will continue to be complex and emotional debates, I will always prefer to be criticized for taking thoughtful action than for pretending inaction is a solution.”