On the recordMarch 18, 2021
As Republican leader of the House Committee on Agriculture, I have the opportunity to speak with producers nationwide, and, overwhelmingly, they say the number one issue facing the industry is the lack of a reliable, legal workforce. When it comes to farm labor, our immigration system is broken and in desperate need of repair. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a step in the right direction. I will vote ``yes'' today, but to be clear, the bill is imperfect and must be improved before becoming law. It will not fully address the shortage of legal agricultural workers and may leave our farmers, ranchers, and especially our dairies, with critical unmet needs. I filed an amendment that would have addressed these deficiencies that was endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Though not made in order, I hope that amendment will serve as a starting point in the Senate for necessary improvements. Americans are blessed with a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply. But how long will that food supply last if we do not have an adequate agricultural workforce? This may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our immigration laws. Therefore, we must get it right. Madam Speaker, if we fail to address the agricultural workforce, we will have food insecurity, and that will lead to national insecurity.
