Ag industry lobbyists tell Politico that the industry appears to have come together to reach consensus on a potential fix to the shortage in farm labor.
Politico reports that the potential fix would give workers a path to legalization for farm laborers currently in the country.
It would also expand the H-2A foreign guest worker program to help make it easier for farmers to find the help they need to run their operations.
Multiple lobbyists say those are the two elements that would help the potential fix win support from all segments of agriculture.
Different segments of agriculture have been sharply divided in recent years on how to fix the labor shortage.
Ag groups that lobby in Congress say organizations ranging from fruits and vegetables to dairy are more together on the issue than they’ve ever been in the past.
Lawmakers, who return this week from Easter break, are in the beginning stages of negotiating legislation.
Discussions in the House will likely pick up steam soon.
“We’re hopeful for some sort of grand bargain and that our labor needs are addressed,” says Nick Giordano, VP of Government Affairs for the NPPC.
