Press Releases
Rouzer Opposes Burdensome Proposed Rule to H-2A
Washington,
November 17, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) joined colleagues in expressing opposition to the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) proposed rule regarding H-2A farm workers. In a letter sent to Acting Secretary Julie Su, the Members wrote, "We hear from producers across our districts and the nation about the burdensome process of securing the needed H-2A workers to support our agriculture industry. This new proposed rule marks the third round of Department of Labor (DOL) regulation changes to the H-2A program in a year. In a time when farmers are faced with increased input costs and inflation, these changes are regulating the family farm out of existence by eating away at an already shrinking profit margin. If we want our nation’s food and fiber to still be grown here in the United States in 20 years, we must stop inundating producers with burdensome new rules like this one." The Members further emphasized, "The proposed rule to “strengthen protections for temporary farm workers” misses the mark, creating additional burdens for farmers trying to navigate an already burdensome program. A streamlined H-2A program is not only critical for the agriculture industry but also for the states and communities that rely on agriculture business and labor." As a Member of the House Agriculture Committee’s Agricultural Labor Working Group, Congressman Rouzer has been working alongside stakeholders, employers, and workers to identify and address the complexities and burdens facing the nation's agriculture workforce to ensure our producers have the support they need to continue to feed America and the world. The letter was led by Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) and also included House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Representatives Rick Allen (GA-12), Jim Baird (IN-04), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Russell Fry (SC-07), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Dusty Johnson (SD), Rich McCormick (GA-06), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Barry Moore (AL-02), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Greg Pence (IN-06), John Rose (TN-06), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), David Valadao (CA-22), Tim Walberg (MI-05), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Rudy Yakym (IN-02). |
