The House has passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that will make available additional H-2A visas.  Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) the sponsor of the House bill, noted, “At a time when labor shortages are contributing to inflation and high food prices, it’s clear that we need the Senate to pass our Farm Workforce Modernization Act to stabilize the agricultural workforce and protect America’s food supply.”

The Senate version is sponsored jointly by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).  The Senate concern regarding the House bill is that holders of H-2A visas and current undocumented farm workers will receive work-based residency with an eventual pathway to citizenship.

The bill enjoys strong support from agricultural groups.  They cite a 2022 Texas A & M University study that found that additional H-2A workers could reduce cost of production and hence inflation. The release of additional H-2A visas would not affect the employment of U.S. citizens who are, in large measure, disinclined to fill available jobs in agriculture.