Lofgren Offers Fix for America's Ag Workforce Shortage as Congress Debates Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, April 27 Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) introduced an amendment to The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 that would add the text of her bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This legislation, re-introduced by Lofgren and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) in May 2025, would create a workforce solution for America's agriculture industry by reforming the H-2A guestworker program to provide more flexibility for employers while ensuring protections for workers and providing legal status to the existing workforce. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act was negotiated over nine months with input from employers and the United Farm Workers union, and it passed the House with strong bipartisan support in 2019 and 2021.

"Farmers across the country are being adversely impacted by the agricultural workforce shortage. That's leading to unpicked crops and increased food prices," said Rep. Lofgren. "I've worked across the aisle for years to pass this labor solution, including with my late colleague Doug LaMalfa. It's critical that this Farm Bill includes the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and I'm hopeful that Congress can finally bring some stability to our agricultural sector."

Rep. Lofgren's district includes San Benito County, the Pajaro Valley, and the Salinas Valley, an agricultural region commonly referred to as "America's Salad Bowl". The area produces over 70% of the nation's lettuce and almost 30% of the strawberries.

Lofgren's amendment is being co-sponsored by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Reps. Jim Costa (CA-21), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Kim Schrier (WA-08), and Salud Carbajal (CA-24).

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