Political Quotes

“I rise to speak in support of the Voice for Farm Workers Act of 2023, which I introduced today. Farmworkers feed our Nation. This is especially true in California, agricultural heart of the Nation. California is the most successful State in agricultural production and has the largest population of farmworkers. During COVID-19, a time of incredible hardship, farmworkers put food on the tables of millions of Americans despite working in extreme conditions and facing deep-rooted inequities. Right now, just one person is statutorily dedicated to serving as a liaison between farmworkers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture--the Farmworker Coordinator. While the 2008 farm bill created this position, Congress has never provided the proper resources to support or staff this position. The 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture Equity Commission Interim Report even included a strong recommendation for the USDA to fund and elevate roles for professional staff solely dedicated to farmworkers' concerns and perspectives. It is time that we support the USDA staff who are dedicated to integrating the valuable perspectives of farmworkers into the decisions that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of these workers.…”