(The Center Square) – Increased deficits for farmers and obstacles for producers seeking to enroll in the H-2A visa program are cited in a letter from a portion of the congressional delegation in the Carolinas.
Republican U.S. Sens. Ted Budd of North Carolina and Tim Scott of South Carolina, and South Carolina Republican U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman tell Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer the Biden-era regulations of the program need to be rolled back.
“The Trump administration has a unique opportunity to bring long-overdue clarity and stability to agricultural labor policy,” the three men wrote in a letter dated Aug. 1 and signed by 84 of their colleagues.
Lawmakers say input costs, trade deficits and recovery from natural disaster are part of the challenges faced. A reliable workforce, however, is pivotal to “the future of American agriculture.”
The Biden administration applied a series of rules impacting the Adverse Effective Wage Rate. The Labor Department has addressed some, though producers were not protected.
“Unfortunately, the rule was still finalized, which has caused unnecessary and burdensome cost increases for our nation’s farmers,” the lawmakers say. “We encourage you to fully rescind this out-of-touch rule to create more pragmatic labor wages for America’s farmers.”
North Carolina congressmen signing, in addition to Budd, were Republican Sen. Thom Tillis; Democratic Rep. Don Davis; and Republican Reps. Dr. Greg Murphy, Virginia Foxx, Addison McDowell, David Rouzer, Rev. Mark Harris, Richard Hudson, Pat Harrigan, Chuck Edwards, Brad Knott and Tim Moore. Not signing were Democratic Reps. Deborah Ross, Valerie Foushee and Alma Adams.
North Carolina’s No. 1 industry is agriculture and agri-business, with an annual economic impact of better than $111.1 billion.
South Carolina congressmen signing, in addition to Scott and Norman, were Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham; and Republican Reps. Nancy Mace, Joe Wilson, Sheri Biggs and William Timmons. Only Democratic Rep. James Clyburn did not.
