A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives reintroduced the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefit and Security Act of 2007, or AgJOBS. The Congressional leaders described past efforts to address the worsening farm labor crisis affecting fruit and vegetable, dairy, nursery and greenhouse, and other producers. They emphasized 2007 is a year in which legislative success can be achieved, according to ANLA. The bill retains its bipartisan support.
Original Republican cosponsors include Craig, Mel Martinez (FL) and George Voinovich (OH). Original Democratic cosponsors include Feinstein, Ted Kennedy (MA) and Barbara Boxer (CA). The House bill is expected to have approximately 25 original cosponsors evenly divided by party.
As co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, ANLA played a major coordinating role in the press conference, and several ANLA leaders represented the association and the nursery and landscape industry, including Greg Schaan, Imperial Nurseries, Conn.; Bob Terry, Fisher Farms, Ore.; Alan Jones, Manor View Farm, Md; and Bryan Champion, Losely & Son, Ohio.
