News

Rep. Hinson welcomes ag labor discussion as Congress reviews Chairman Thompson’s bill

U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson’s ag labor reform package is a step in the right direction.

“As for Chairman Thompson’s bill, food security is national security and making sure we’re supporting our Iowa farmers is a top priority,” she said Tuesday. “So, we have to focus on that, continuing to reduce red tape, and make it easier for farmers to do their jobs.”

Chairman Thompson recently introduced the Securing Agriculture Workforce Labor Act, which focuses on faster, more flexible H-2A processing for farms, proposes broader access to H-2A workers, addresses wages and focuses on ways to streamline the program’s administration.

Hinson tells Brownfield she appreciates Thompson’s work on the issue.

However, “I just want to be clear, I do not support amnesty for illegal immigrants,” Hinson said. “We have to be able to look at strengthening our ag workforce without giving amnesty to the folks who have broken our nation’s laws, especially those with criminal records.”

Many ag groups – including American Farm Bureau Federation, National Milk Producers Federation, US Custom Harvesters, International Fresh Produce Association, Ag Retailers Association, and National Council of Ag Employers – support the legislation.

Hinson, a Republican from Iowa, says she’ll be having more conversations with her colleagues on the bill in the coming months.