Immigration, Farm Bill Are Top Agenda Items as Congress Returns
June 1, 2007
Congress returned from the Memorial Day holiday to continue the debate on immigration reform and review considerations of the Farm Bill provisions. In the Senate, Member of Congress are working to wrap up the breakthrough immigration reform compromise that was reached three weeks ago. United Fresh, the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR), and the Essential Workers Immigration Coalition (EWIC) have activated a nation-wide grassroots campaign encouraging members to reach out to Senators in support of the immigration legislation. "Lawmakers are getting the message from both their agriculture and business constituents back home that we need comprehensive immigration reform," said Autumn Veazey, United Fresh director of legislative affairs. In the House, the House Agriculture Committee is expected to continue their Farm Bill deliberations as the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture is preparing their sections of the Farm Bill for consideration. The Subcommittee will consider key policy components of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance priorities, including pest and disease prevention recommendations, state block grants and enhanced nutrition components. The Subcommittee is expected to complete its work on Thursday of next week. "Right now it is critical that our members continue to urge their House and Senate Representatives to support the specialty crop farm bill priorities," said Veazey. United Fresh encourages all of its members to send a message about the need to reform our nation's farm laws in order to enhance the competitiveness of our specialty crop community. For more information, please contact Autumn Veazey at (202) 303-3427.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
