Enzi, Barrasso: Ag Community Needs More Time to Comment on Worker Regs

Press Release

U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., asked the Department of Labor today to extend the window for public comment on the agency's proposed overhaul of the H2-A temporary and seasonal workers program.

In a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, the senators requested a 45-day extension to the comment period beyond the currently scheduled deadline of March 31. Enzi and Barrasso acknowledged the significant need for change in the H2-A program, but asked the secretary to consider the demands this time of year on Wyoming producers who may have wanted to review the new regulations but have not had time to do so.

"The spring season brings many demands on the time of agricultural producers, and many have expressed interest in reviewing these proposed rules. Given the importance of this program to Wyoming's agricultural industry, we respectfully request that you provide more time for further comment," the senators wrote. "Feedback from the public is surely one of the most essential elements of successful rulemaking. In this case, any comment period shorter than two months during the busy spring calving, lambing and planting season is simply not enough time to allow for meaningful comments."

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