A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives, including Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and Adam Gray (D-CA), has reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 3227) in the 118th Congress. The bill aims to address labor shortages in the U.S. agricultural sector by reforming the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, providing greater stability for employers and workers.
The legislation, which previously passed the House with bipartisan support in the 116th and 117th Congresses, updates the H-2A program, offering more flexibility for employers while ensuring protections for workers. It also provides a pathway for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued employment in the sector.
Representative Zoe Lofgren emphasized that labor shortages in agriculture have contributed to rising food prices, making workforce stability essential for food security. "This legislation will protect the future of our farms and our food supply," she said. Representative Dan Newhouse highlighted the urgency of the issue, describing the workforce crisis as a critical challenge for American farmers.
The bill was developed through extensive negotiations involving farmers, agricultural organizations, labor advocates, and farmworker representatives. Originally negotiated over eight months in 2019, it became the first significant agricultural labor reform to pass the House since 1986. The measure seeks to balance the needs of employers for a reliable workforce with the rights and protections of agricultural workers.
The reintroduction of the bill has received support from labor organizations, including the United Farm Workers (UFW). UFW President Teresa Romero emphasized that farm workers who feed America deserve the right to live without fear and uncertainty. Industry representatives, such as Western Growers CEO Dave Puglia, also endorsed the bill, describing it as a critical step toward addressing the workforce crisis in American agriculture.
If enacted, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would provide a stable, legal workforce for U.S. agriculture, benefiting both employers and workers. Lawmakers supporting the bill are hopeful it will advance in the current Congress and ultimately become law.
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