Speech #1040192438

Why do we have a 100.000 cap? Because even though only 17.000 workers used this program last year. we are making significant improvements to the program. and want to make sure that we do not have an unreasonable number of people utilizing this program from outside of the country. In recent years. about 17.000 farm workers have been granted visas each year under the H2A guest worker progran. The Goodlatte amendment provides for an increase to 100.000 workers. This will more than meet any needs of fruit and vegetable growers that are not being met by domestic farm workers. Many fruit and vegetable growers assert that the big problem with the H2A program is that the Department of Labor administers in bad faith. intending to make it unworkable and unattractive to growers. My amendment transfers the certification process from the Department of Labor to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This move will ensure that the fundamentally sound H2A program is administered fairly. Growers also complain that it takes too long to get workers under the current H2A program. They must file applications at least 60 days before the date of employment. My amendment slashes this period by 33 percent and creates a 40day application period. it will ensure growers the workers they need when they need them. The Goodlatte H2A guest worker compromise amendment modifies the threequarter guarantee to answer the concerns of growers. Under the current H2A guest worker program. growers must pay guest workers for 75 percent of the agreed work contract period. and under 20 CFR section 655. they must pay an average of at least 8 hours of work a day for that 75 percent period. even if the harvest Is cut short by weather or pests. A copy of this threequarter guarantee regulation Is available to those who would like to see it. because there has been a suggestion that we make the threequarter requirement more onerous. Actually. we make it better.