Statement of NCFC President Chuck Conner on Failure to Address Ag Labor Crisis in Omnibus Funding Bill

“NCFC is profoundly disappointed that the Senate chose not to vote on an amendment that would have added the Affordable and Secure Food Act to the omnibus funding bill. This is a lost opportunity for Congress to have addressed the labor crisis in agriculture that threatens the economic survival of farms and ranches across the country. Producers will enter the new year facing a continued shortage of skilled workers combined with spiraling wage costs in the H-2A program. This failure to act will have long-term consequences that will impact agricultural policy for years to come.

“At the same time, we would like to recognize the tremendous leadership shown on this issue by members of Congress who understand the gravity of the situation and who have had the political courage to tackle this issue head-on, including Senator Michael Bennet, Congressman Dan Newhouse, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. We look forward to working with them and others in the coming Congress to find a path forward on ag labor reform.”

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