OLYMPIA, Wash. Lawmakers in Congress, including Eastern Washington Representative Dan Newhouse, are working on a bill that would give farmworkers a path to citizenship, but multiple farmworker groups would like to see it die in the Senate for a second time.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, co-sponsored by Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), passed the House in 2019 before stalling in the Senate.
It was reintroduced on March 3, 2021. According to a press release, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, aims to ensure a legal, reliable workforce for America’s farmers and ranchers.
“American agriculture is desperately in need of a legal, reliable workforce. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a solution – negotiated in good faith by agriculture groups, labor representatives, and Members on both sides of the aisle – that will do just that,” said Rep. Newhouse. “As one of only a few farmers in Congress, I understand the invaluable contributions our produ