Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
The bill directs the Secretary of Labor to keep each State's adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) for H‑2A agricultural workers at the level that was in effect on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026. It also requires the Department to use a primary‑duties evaluation when determining the applicable wage for employees who perform multiple tasks.
Worker wage increases versus farm cost and predictability
Narrow, sector‑specific change likely to attract support from agricultural interests and some colleagues; opposition possible from labor advocates.
The bill directs the Secretary of Labor to keep each State's adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) for H‑2A agricultural workers at the level that was in effect on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026.
It also requires the Department to use a primary‑duties evaluation when determining the applicable wage for employees who perform multiple tasks.
Content is narrow and administrable, but touches contentious labor/immigration policy; moderate stakeholder opposition and Senate hurdles lower prospects.
How solid the drafting looks.
Worker wage increases versus farm cost and predictability
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Worker wage increases versus farm cost and predictability
Likely viewed negatively: freezes a wage floor that could otherwise rise, potentially harming seasonal agricultural workers.
The primary‑duties clause raises concerns about narrowing classifications to avoid higher pay.
A mixed view: appreciates predictability for agriculture and supply chains, but worries the freeze could lock in inadequate wages and invite legal or administrative complications.
Sees tradeoffs worth managing.
Likely supportive: prevents retroactive or unanticipated wage hikes that raise farm labor costs, and the primary‑duties rule offers administrative clarity.
Seen as protecting agricultural competitiveness.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Content is narrow and administrable, but touches contentious labor/immigration policy; moderate stakeholder opposition and Senate hurdles lower prospects.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Worker wage increases versus farm cost and predictability
Content is narrow and administrable, but touches contentious labor/immigration policy; moderate stakeholder opposition and Senate hurdles l…
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