November 12, 2007

ISSUE 1192

AGJOBS NOT TO BE PART OF FARM BILL

Senator Dianne Feinstein announced this week that she will not try to attach the AgJOBS bill to the Farm Bill now being debated in the Senate. In her announcement she states “I [had] every intention of offering legislation to create a stable reliable agricultural worker program – known as AgJOBS – as an amendment on the farm bill. This is something I’ve been working on for a long time now.”

The announcement went on to state: “We know that we can win this. A broad bipartisan coalition of members believes AgJOBS is a necessary solution to the crisis being faced by the agricultural industry. But in this session, unfortunately, you need more than broad support – you need the right time and opportunity to line up as well.”

“So when we took a clear-eyed assessment of the politics of the Farm Bill and the defeat of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform, it became clear that our support could not sustain these competing forces,” the announcement continued. “Unfortunately, many of our supporters believe they cannot support AgJOBS on the Farm Bill. So after numerous meetings and discussions, we have decided not to endanger the broad support for AgJOBS by taking a non-representative vote on the Farm Bill.”

Feinstein concluded by saying that she is still committed to moving AgJOBS in every way possible this year, but the reality is that the AgJOBS bill is dead until the next session of Congress and even then it will be an uphill fight.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the Farm Bill from the Senate floor Nov. 8, but debate is expected to resume next week after agreements can be made related to amendments and a time structure.