A solution 20 years in the making

By Bryon Reed, Post Register, November 19, 2019

Nearly 20 years ago, I attended a small town hall meeting in the Centennial Court Room of the Bonneville County courthouse with Congressman Mike Simpson. He discussed several issues, one of which was the importance of having a stable agricultural workforce. As a farmer and rancher struggling to keep consistent legal workers for my growing business, I needed more answers. I immediately rose my hand and the congressman was kind enough to hear me out.

I explained the challenges that my family farm faced to find a legal and dependable workforce. I then explained how unfair the system was for our agricultural employees and families, who had been with us for years. These are hardworking, honest people who support our food supply yet are purposely kept in the shadows by a government unwilling or unable to address a complicated problem. Rep. Simpson addressed me directly and with sincere honesty, he told me that he understood the current system was seriously flawed and the politics of the issue would make solutions hard to enact.

I appreciated his honesty then, and I applaud him now for tirelessly working all these years to correct this problem for me and for the countless farmers throughout Idaho and this nation. Congressman Simpson has recently introduced a well thought out piece of legislation entitled “The Farm Workforce Modernization Act.” This bill allows farmworkers who have chosen to work in agriculture to continue to do so legally.

The bill does not give amnesty. Instead, it mandates stiff penalties and a realistic path for those who wish to seek the American dream through hard work. It also requires thorough vetting through Department of Homeland Security background checks and an e-verify requirement to provide security measures. Most importantly it requires that participants only work in agriculture, thus ensuring a reliable farm workforce without threatening other U.S workers.

For many years my business has relied on the current H2-A work program to hire a legal farm workforce. Speaking from decades of experience, I can say that the program is fundamentally flawed, and most importantly, does not safeguard the timely entry of our most reliable employees. Bureaucratic red tape slows the process and allows for potential corruption at our borders, which puts our crops in jeopardy every year.

This legislation will correct the flaws in the H2-A program and streamline the process to make it more affordable and accessible for farmers who need it. I hope everyone will take the time to understand this critical piece of legislation and then lend support to its passage. It is time to stop kicking this can down the road; it is time to enact what the president has asked for: merit-based immigration reform. One of the best ways to truly strengthen our borders is to strengthen our legal agriculture workforce farmers rely on.

Thank you, Congressman Simpson, for never forgetting the problem that I expressed to you nearly two decades ago. I stand united with over 40 business and agriculture groups in Idaho who understand the need for this legislation and energetically support it.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2ND
On Monday, no votes are expected in the House. 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.Res. 517 - Supporting the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and its Sixth Replenishment, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee)

2) H.R. 3460 - End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Foreign Affairs Committee)

3) S. 178 - UIGHUR Act of 2019, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio / Foreign Affairs Committee)

4) H.Res. 546 - Disapproving the Russian Federation's inclusion in future Group of Seven summits until it respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors and adheres to the standards of democratic societies (Sponsored by Rep. Albio Sires / Foreign Affairs Committee)

5) H.Res. 585 - Reaffirming support for the Good Friday Agreement and other agreements to ensure lasting peace in Northern Ireland (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Suozzi / Foreign Affairs Committee)

6) H.R. 4803 - Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler / Judiciary Committee) 

7) H.R. 565 - AMIGOS Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline / Judiciary Committee)

8) H.R. 4018 - To provide that the amount of time an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ted Deutch / Judiciary Committee)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) S. 151 - Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. John Thune / Energy and Commerce Committee)

H.R. 2534 - Insider Trading Prohibition Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Himes / Financial Services Committee)

H.Res. 326 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United States efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Alan Lowenthal / Foreign Affairs Committee)