Immigration reform appears stalled in Senate
Immigration reform appears stalled in Senate
WASHINGTON -- Prospects for a legal, stable workforce appear to be dimming for U.S. agriculture with news that the compromise immigration reform bill was taken off the Senate floor Thursday night, June 7, after Senate leaders tried unsuccessfully to limit debate on the measure.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) pulled the bill after senators twice voted against a motion to cut off debate. Armed with a list of amendments, some aimed at killing the bill, Sen. Reid had planned to push for a final vote on the measure this week (June 4-8).
But Senate Republican leaders said the bill should not be rushed. "Progress on such an important issue should not be measured by calendar days but by senators having the opportunity to debate and vote on their ideas to improve the bill," said Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
"It's certainly a major blow, but no, it's not dead," said Craig Regelbrugge, vice president of government relations and research at the American Nursery & Landscape Association. "It will take a few days to assess."
"We are disappointed in the Senate's vote, which has delayed national immigration reform," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh Produce Association. "Fortunately, both Sen. Reid and Sen. McConnell indicated their desire to continue this debate, but the industry must keep the pressure on elected officials to pass immigration reform now."
Earlier in the week of June 4-8, the bill had been weakened as the Senate approved an amendment by one vote to phase out the guest worker program in five years.
A broad coalition of agriculture-based groups has long warned that Congress would be unlikely to revisit the controversial issue until after the presidential election if the fragile compromise bill stalled in the Senate. Labor-intensive agriculture industries are depending on federal reforms --language in the AgJOBS bill -- to prevent the worsening labor crisis and production moving offshore.
If nothing happens in Congress, the agriculture industry will face continued work-site enforcement, worsening labor shortages and a wide range of state and local laws filling the void. "It's an inherently federal issue," said Mr. Regelbrugge.
Mr. Guenther agreed. "The longer this is unresolved by our elected leaders, the longer our industry will face difficulties such as targeted enforcements and limited ability to secure a legal and stable workforce," he said.
In the meantime, agriculture trade groups are telling their members to call members of Congress and express disappointment in the latest Senate move.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) pulled the bill after senators twice voted against a motion to cut off debate. Armed with a list of amendments, some aimed at killing the bill, Sen. Reid had planned to push for a final vote on the measure this week (June 4-8).
But Senate Republican leaders said the bill should not be rushed. "Progress on such an important issue should not be measured by calendar days but by senators having the opportunity to debate and vote on their ideas to improve the bill," said Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
"It's certainly a major blow, but no, it's not dead," said Craig Regelbrugge, vice president of government relations and research at the American Nursery & Landscape Association. "It will take a few days to assess."
"We are disappointed in the Senate's vote, which has delayed national immigration reform," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh Produce Association. "Fortunately, both Sen. Reid and Sen. McConnell indicated their desire to continue this debate, but the industry must keep the pressure on elected officials to pass immigration reform now."
Earlier in the week of June 4-8, the bill had been weakened as the Senate approved an amendment by one vote to phase out the guest worker program in five years.
A broad coalition of agriculture-based groups has long warned that Congress would be unlikely to revisit the controversial issue until after the presidential election if the fragile compromise bill stalled in the Senate. Labor-intensive agriculture industries are depending on federal reforms --language in the AgJOBS bill -- to prevent the worsening labor crisis and production moving offshore.
If nothing happens in Congress, the agriculture industry will face continued work-site enforcement, worsening labor shortages and a wide range of state and local laws filling the void. "It's an inherently federal issue," said Mr. Regelbrugge.
Mr. Guenther agreed. "The longer this is unresolved by our elected leaders, the longer our industry will face difficulties such as targeted enforcements and limited ability to secure a legal and stable workforce," he said.
In the meantime, agriculture trade groups are telling their members to call members of Congress and express disappointment in the latest Senate move.
