7/01/04

In an effort to bring S. 1645 “Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003,” to a vote before the July 4 recess, Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., have filed the entire AgJOBS bill as an amendment, S. Amdt 3396, to the National Defense Authorization Act, S. 2400. It has been a long and difficult battle to get the measure this far.
The AgJOBs bill will provide a stable and legal workforce, increase border security and treat workers fairly. Many feel the very survival of labor-intensive agricultural industries such as the nursery and greenhouse industry depends upon passage of this bill. It would reform the H-2A guest worker program, freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for three years, and provide a means for settling legal disputes between workers and employers. It also provides conditions under which agricultural workers already in the United States may apply for permanent resident status.
The legislation is fully supported by the American Nursery and Landscape Association the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, the National Council of Agricultural Employers, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and hundreds of other national, regional and state organizations representing agriculture and H-2A users, business, and farm workers.
Public opposition to the bill has prevented S. 1645 from coming to the floor of the Senate for a vote. A search of the Internet shows many individuals opposed to the bill have contacted their senators. Proponents of the bill are urgently asking for expressions of support.
The opinions of their constituents do matter to senators. Let your voice be heard. Call or fax your senators today. Here are fax numbers of several senators:

Allen, George VA-R 202-224-5432
Biden, Joe DE-D 202-224-0139
Byrd, Robert WV-D 202-228-0002
Carper, Thomas DE-D 202-228-2190
Corzine, Jon NJ-D 202-228-2197
Lautenberg, Frank R NJ-D 202-228-4054
Mikulski, Barbara MD-D 202-224-8858
Rockefeller, Jay WV-D 202-224-7665
Santorum, Rick PA-R 202-228-0604
Sarbanes, Paul MD-D 202-224-1651
Specter, Arlen PA-R 202-228-1229
Warner, John VA-R 202-224-6295