The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate — and potentially President Donald Trump — is about to learn what it’s like to take on America’s farmers.

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The bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed the House of Representatives, 260-165, on Wednesday. Ag groups immediately celebrated and then quickly pivoted to the challenges ahead.
“Another hurdle in the race to save America’s family farms has been cleared. Western Growers is grateful for the leadership exhibited by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman Dan Newhouse, and the statesmanship demonstrated by the bipartisan group of legislators who sponsored and voted for the bill,” said Western Growers, an Irvine-based group representing farmers throughout the west.
“But the race is far from over. Both the Senate and President Trump must be willing to take the political stand that is required to ensure the continued production of an abundant, safe and affordable domestic food supply. Our farmers are depending on the present actions of Congress and the Administration to make possible the future viability of the agriculture industry.”

Reliable Ag Labor Supply, Legal Status for Workers

In a nutshell, the legislation would provide a reliable supply of workers for farmers while establishing a path for undocumented ag workers to earn legal status through continued employment in the industry. It is the first farm labor reform bill passed by the House since 1986.
So, what’s the rub?
Critics call H.R. 5038 an illegal immigration bill. And Fox News is stoking nativists with headlines such as “Farm bill panned as mass ‘amnesty’ for illegal immigrants heads to vote in House.”

Focus, focus, focus! #openbordersinc trying to ram this abomination through while nation is distracted with bread and circuses. #StopAmnesty #AmericaFirst ==> https://t.co/GP1KDTFZ1O

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) December 9, 2019

Indicative of the tensions accompanying this bill, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) split from his party leadership to back the bill. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield voted against it, as did Tom McClintock of Elk Grove, who represents some foothill and mountain regions of the central San Joaquin Valley.
You can see how the House voted at this link.

Opponents Paint the Bill as ‘Amnesty’

One question is whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is willing to anger Republican senators from farming states by refusing to bring the legislation to a vote.
The other question: Who does Trump want to make happy? His base of anti-immigrant voters or farmers?
Meanwhile, lawmakers from America’s ag states are pretty happy with what they accomplished Wednesday.

Cox, Costa Weigh in

“It was a priority for me to be part of this bipartisan process because today there are people in my district who may go the rest of their lives without seeing their loved ones outside the U.S., for fear of getting picked up and being undocumented,” said Rep. TJ Cox (D-Fresno).
“There are also farmers in my district whose dairies will or already have gone under, partly because they don’t have a steady source of skilled agricultural workers. We shouldn’t accept this policy failure by our government as the status quo.”
Fresno Democratic Congressman Jim Costa took to Twitter to call attention to the bill before the vote.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has passed the House. https://t.co/y0ILgjAi6W

— Fresno Chamber of Commerce (@Fresno_Chamber) December 11, 2019

After the vote, Costa said: “This is a historic moment for farming communities across America, especially here in California and the San Joaquin Valley. Farmworkers are part of our communities and are some of the hardest working people I’ve met.”