Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
HR7541119th CongressWALLET
U.S. Farmworker Protection Act
Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced
Summary
Limits the H-2A guest worker program to 400,000 certified positions per year and excludes jobs covered by a bargaining representative from that cap. It would slow the rapid growth of the H-2A program that Congress says threatens to displace U.S. farmworkers and depress wages.
Show full summary
- U.S. farmworkers: Seeks to protect jobs and wages by capping annual H-2A certifications at 400,000. Congress cites 384,865 certified H-2A jobs in fiscal year 2024 as part of the reason for the cap.
- Foreign seasonal workers: A 400,000 limit could reduce the number of new H-2A positions available when demand exceeds the cap in a fiscal year.
- Agricultural employers: Employers that rely on H-2A visas may face tighter access to guest labor during busy seasons if petitions surpass the cap.
- Labor organizations: Jobs covered by a bargaining representative that has filed an LM-2, LM-3, or LM-4 form and has a collective bargaining agreement are excluded from the 400,000 limit, protecting represented positions from the cap.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limit on temporary farmworker visas
This bill would limit H-2A temporary farmworker visas to 400,000 certified positions each fiscal year. Positions an employer lists in the petition as filled by workers represented by a qualifying labor union would not count toward the 400,000 limit. A qualifying bargaining representative would have to be a labor organization that represents agricultural employees, has filed an LM-2, LM-3, or LM-4 (or successor) form, and has a collective bargaining agreement. If the cap is reached, some employers and H-2A applicants could get fewer visas.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Pelosi
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov