Central Georgia News

In Washington, U.S. Representative Austin Scott joined a coalition opposing the Department of Labor's proposed H-2A program rule, criticizing its impact on farm workers. The move aimed to address concerns surrounding the potential bureaucratic strain on small farmers within the agriculture industry. This opposition comes in response to worries about increased bureaucracy and complex regulations negatively affecting small farming businesses.

Delving deeper into the details of this opposition, we look at some specific arguments made by Representative Scott. According to a press release by the representative's office, Scott stated: "A streamlined H-2A program is critical for the agriculture industry, and many of our nation’s small farmers cannot keep up with these continuous rule and regulation changes."

Yet it isn't just Representative Austin Scott raising his voice against these proposed changes. According to a press release by the representative's office, the cosigners of the letter included Representatives from various states, including Georgia, Indiana, Florida, and others, collectively expressing their opposition to the Department of Labor's proposed H-2A program rule.

The content of their shared letter highlights broader concerns within farming communities across America. According to the letter sent to the Department of Labor, the representatives claim that the proposed rule by the Department of Labor on the H-2A program has triggered concerns among farmers nationwide, burdening them with continuous regulatory changes that threaten the existence of family farms due to shrinking profit margins, increased input costs, and ongoing audits. It is further alleged in the letter that this wave of new regulations if not revised may force small farms to sell out to larger corporations more capable of managing this evolving regulatory landscape potentially leading to industry consolidation.

Meanwhile, The Department of Labor outlines its goals for the proposed changes, focusing on addressing potential worker abuses. According to the Department of Labor, the proposed rule focuses on addressing potential abuses affecting wages and standards in agriculture by implementing measures such as worker self-advocacy, shielding against retaliation, requiring transparency in foreign labor recruitment, and strong new enforcement measures.

As is standard procedure, these proposed changes will be open to public scrutiny before any final decision is made. According to the Department of Labor, following its publication in the Federal Register, the proposed rulemaking notice will be available for public comment for a period of 60 days. The Department will review all comments received before finalizing the rule.

Finally, not mincing words about his stance is Glenn "GT" Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. According to a press release by the representative's office, Glenn "GT" Thompson stated: "The Biden Administration’s war on rural America and our farm families continues. The H-2A program is critical to American agriculture, and this proposed rule simply creates additional layers of bureaucracy to an already burdensome process. America’s farmers aren’t the problem; costly complicated regulations written by career bureaucrats who have never stepped foot on a farm are." Thompson was among the individuals who signed the letter addressed to the Department of Labor.