Federal Legislation

Federal Legislation Report

Immigration Reform

Since Arizona enacted a state law allowing law enforcement to ask for documentation from suspicious persons, the immigration debate has superseded all other topics in Congress and the White House. Even financial reform and cap and trade legislation have given way to the hot button issue of immigration reform. The Senate has presented a draft plan that includes all of the components of AgJOBS as well as a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants now in the country. The latter topic is a huge sticking point for the minority party that wants to concentrate on closing the borders first. Unfortunately, issues such as worksite enforcement, including E-Verify and preemption of state laws that intrude into uniquely federal area related to areas of worksite enforcement will have an important impact on agriculture, according to the Ag Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR). As some of us prepare for the American Agri-Women Fly-In to DC in June, we will focus on serious legislative action on some of the most serious first steps toward reform, such as AgJOBS.

2012 Farm Bill Hearings

Members of the House Agriculture Committee, led by Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn, are holding hearings and listening sessions in CA, Iowa, Indiana and Wyoming in preparation for the new Farm Bill for 2012. Over 60% of the Farm Bill is funding for food stamps and other nutritional aids, but growers in CA are hopeful that it will address our water supply needs, invasive species, and specialty crop research.

AAW FLY-IN to WASHINGTON, DC

June 13-16 are the dates for the annual American Agri-Women Fly-In to Washington, DC. We will hold meetings with USDA and have briefings on a variety of topics. Visits to Capitol Hill with legislators allow us the opportunity to emphasize the concerns of the agriculture industry in CA and the US. Please let me know if you have any issues you would like us to address at the important meeting. You can contact me at a href="mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .