Jimmy Panetta: “I represent the central coast of California, known to many of my colleagues as the salad bowl of the world. It is where…”

“I represent the central coast of California, known to many of my colleagues as the salad bowl of the world. It is where agriculture is the number one industry, and it is where the farm labor movement was partially founded. Now, as many Republicans and Democrats know, in agriculture, undocumented farmworkers do a majority of the labor-intensive work needed to put food on our dinner tables. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2690, the Agricultural Worker Program Act, also known as the ``Blue Card'' bill. This bill would provide a majority of our farmworkers with a path to legal permanent residence. Now, it doesn't allow people to jump the line. It doesn't just give them benefits. In fact, there are certain obligations that they must undertake in order to receive those benefits. They have to work in agriculture for at least 100 days, and then they have to commit to working in agriculture for 100 days over the next 5 years. Our farmworkers, whom we employ and critically need, are now living in the shadows for fear of deportation. This bill would provide legal protections for our farmworkers to ensure a better future for their families, our farms, and our communities.…”