In Washington state, the need for a reliable workforce is well known among farmers and ranchers. Our region produces high-quality specialty crops, many of which are labor-intensive. Farmers are struggling given current economic conditions; a recent USDA report pulling 2024 data ranks Washington state 50th in farm profitability. A primary driver of that last-place ranking is the high cost of labor.
While many employers would prefer to hire domestic labor to work in their fields and orchards, the reality is that guestworkers are needed on our farms. That leaves farmers, ranchers, and producers with few options, one of which is utilizing the expensive and cumbersome H-2A program to acquire the legal workforce they need to remain operational.
Seeing our farm grow from third to fourth generation, I know this problem firsthand. Reforming our agricultural labor laws has been one of my highest priorities during my whole time in Congress. Previous efforts, primarily the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, passed the House but could not get through the Senate. New legislation was needed to ensure the H-2A program can be a cost-effective means for farmers to get the labor their operation needs.
Last month, I joined Rep. GT Thompson of Pennsylvania in introducing the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA). This legislation provides comprehensive provisions that expand access, control costs and streamline the H-2A program. Importantly, SAWA changes the program from “seasonal” to “temporary,” allowing H-2A workers to be here for a period of up to 350 consecutive days while working various roles on the farm.
This legislation is a product of thoughtful negotiation with key stakeholders and recommendations of the bipartisan Agriculture Labor Working Group. It adopts many provisions of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act but focuses on programmatic reforms and removes the path to permanent legal resident for undocumented workers. SAWA threads an important needle – it improves the H-2A program for farmers, ranchers and producers, while maintaining the H-2A as a temporary guestworker program.
Between sky-high labor costs, rising input prices, and market volatility, farm country is in dire straits. Farmers, ranchers, and producers who utilize the H-2A program need certainty in their workforce, and the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act does just that.
As my tenure in Congress comes to a close, I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to pass thoughtful, commonsense legislation that secures our borders long-term, restores the integrity of our immigration system, and supports our nation’s growers who are critical to our country’s prosperity.
Rep. Dan Newhouse represents Washington’s 4th District in the House. He serves on the Agriculture and Appropriations committees.
