Speech #1100009615

But this will also have an impact on the ability to find agricultural labor. and I think the Senator agrees. I know I agree. that we must pass the AgJOBS bill. Madam President. an estimated 90 percent of agricultural labor In this countrythe picker part of it. not necessarily the processing and canning part of it. but the picking part. the field workan estimated 90 percent is by undocumented people. What we have tried to do is develop a plan. which actually passed the Senate once before as part of the comprehensive immigration bill. called AgJOBS. This also reformed the H2A program. We have been trying to get that bill up before this body for a vote. This next year is going to be a singularly difficult year for agriculture. and with the inability to get a consistent workforce. farmers dont know if they can plant. they dont know if they can prune. they dont know if they can pick. because they dont know if they will have enough labor.