I know those at the desk. including the Chair. would like to dim the lights and say good evening. I will do that in just a few moments. We are going to have an opportunity to debate in detail what the Senator from Georgia has put before the Senate as it relates to a wage rate for agricultural workers that is embodied within the bill that is before us in comprehensive immigration reform. I must tell you that after having worked on the agriculture portion of this bill for nearly 5 years. and as a farmer and rancher. I totally agree with the Senator from Georgia. that those who were under the H2A program and those who werent were very different. and those who werent were placing the farmerproducer who had adhered to the H2A program at a true competitive disadvantage because of the adverse effect wage rate that the Senator spoke to. As we work to reform and change the character of the H2A program. and for those Senators who arent quite aware of thatthat is the agricultural portionwe recognize that the adverse affect wage was out of step. It was skewed in large part by comparative and competitive disadvantaged margins that the Senator speaks to. The Senator has proposed moving to a prevailing wage. which. in my opinion. is in itself a minimum wage.
Keywords matched
H2A immigration