Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler and Chairwoman Lofgren for their incredible leadership on this important bill.

I rise in support of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill that will improve the H-2A agricultural visa program to make it easier for Arizona farmers to meet their workforce needs while also providing a path for agricultural workers to earn legal status.

Throughout this pandemic, farmworkers have been on the front lines playing a critical role in feeding America's families. They deserve the opportunity to take steps toward legal status in this country. It is the right thing to do for them and it is the right thing to do to advance our farm industry.

This bill is good for Arizona's economy--Arizona, the birth place of Cesar Chavez--where agribusiness is a $23 billion-a-year industry. Our State's crops cannot be left to rot in the ground because we lack access to a stable workforce.

Passing this bill today brings us one step closer to ensuring that farmers have the stable workforce they need and that farmworkers are recognized for all the work they do for us every day.

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