2024 House Resolution 278

Whereas, Michigan farmers participating in the federal H-2A program must pay temporary foreign workers 18.50 dollars per hour, the 2024 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) in Michigan. The Adverse Effect Wage Rate for agricultural workers in Michigan, which is set annually by the U.S. Department of Labor, has increased by 85 percent since 2008, with a nearly 30 percent increase since 2019; and

Whereas, Due to a shortage of domestic labor, farmers are increasingly utilizing temporary foreign workers through the H-2A program to staff their operations. In 2023, approximately 15,000 H-2A workers were hired in Michigan, the sixth most of any state; and

Whereas, According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farm production expenses in the United States totaled 452 billion dollars in 2022, a nearly 100 billion dollar increase since 2019. Congress now has the opportunity to help bring down some of these rapidly increasing costs for Michigan farmers by freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate; and

Whereas, Michigan U.S. Congressman, John Moolenaar, has introduced the “Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024,” directing the Secretary of Labor to ensure that the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for H-2A workers that was in effect on December 31, 2023 remains the rate through December 31, 2025. Agricultural organizations in Michigan, including the Michigan Agri-Business Association and Michigan Pork Producers, have voiced their support for Congressman Moolenaar’s bill as they recognize that if the cost of farming continues to increase, farms across the state will be forced to shut down. The loss of farms will be catastrophic for the state, not only because agriculture is a leading economic engine for Michigan, but also farms serve as the backbone of our rural communities; and

Whereas, In addition to labor costs, farmers have experienced skyrocketing price increases in feed, fertilizer, machinery, and more. Congress should not waste the opportunity to provide much needed relief from rising costs by ensuring that the Adverse Effect Wage Rate does not continue to climb; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Congress to pass legislation temporarily freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.