FWMA Update Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is still sitting in committee with many in Congress reluctant to move
forward with another “immigration” issue.
But, the bill’s sponsor, Washington Representative Dan
Newhouse says it has more to do with the work than anything else …
NEWHOUSE … “Providing a legal ability to come and work is not necessarily an immigration issue. It gets caught up in that. And while we have thousands of people illegally crossing the border every day, every week, record numbers over the last three-and-a-half years, it’s difficult to get people to agree to allow more people in, even though it’s, I think, parts of the solution.”
But Newhouse says, on the bright side …
NEWHOUSE … “Because of some of the pressures on our farmers, that we talked about, that are really making it difficult to survive, members of Congress, my colleagues, are hearing from farmers in their districts telling them of the challenges and the difficulties they’re having just staying afloat. And so, a lot of people are waking up to fact that these are urgent issues that we’ve got to address.”
So, Newhouse asks, why not? …
NEWHOUSE … “If it has to go hand in hand with increasing or improving the situation at our southern border, so be it! Let’s do both!”
Newhouse says he’s not giving up and he’s always hopeful that we will get there, but it won’t be easy.
