What To Know About the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act

U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) has introduced H.R. 9535, the bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026. This legislation makes key improvements to the accessibility and cost of agricultural labor through the H-2A visa program.

If signed into law, the legislation would be the first statutory reform to H-2A in 40 years. The program allows non-immigrant foreign workers to perform temporary agricultural jobs in the U.S. when domestic workers are unavailable. The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 expands access to the program for year-round operations, controls costs to restore certainty to balance sheets, and streamlines the interactions of the government agencies administering the program.

“There is no greater national security threat than disruptions to our food supply,” Thompson says. “The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 makes the practical, commonsense reforms required to prevent these disruptions by providing a workforce that meets agriculture’s needs—now and in the future.”

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would:

• Allow temporary workers to remain on the job for up to 350 days, which gives farms like dairies greater access to the H-2A program;
• Limit excessive or irrelevant federal fees to participate in the H-2A program, which will make it more affordable for farmers;
• Codify an improved wage methodology and establish safeguards to prevent unpredictable Adverse Effect Wage Rate fluctuations; and
• Affirm H-2A workers as essential.

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 is supported by more than 400 agriculture groups across the country.

Here are statements from some of those organizations.

Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation: “The lack of available labor is among the largest limiting factors of American agriculture. Most Americans don’t want to work on farms. In fact, only 182 domestic applications were submitted for nearly 415,000 advertised positions in 2025. If Americans won’t apply for these jobs, we have no other choice but to depend on the H-2A program. Unfortunately, the current guest worker program is inadequate to meet the demands on farms across the country. We are grateful to Chairman G.T. Thompson for listening to America’s farmers.”

Dave Puglia, Western Growers: “Western Growers strongly supports Chairman Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) and commends his leadership in advancing long-overdue reforms to stabilize America’s agricultural workforce. Fresh produce growers in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico have relied on the H-2A program out of necessity, but the program has not kept pace with the realities of modern agriculture. It remains too difficult and expensive for many farmers who depend on it for access to a legal and reliable workforce.

“More predictable wages are essential to keeping American agriculture strong and fresh produce affordable for consumers. Between 2018 and 2025, the national average Adverse Effect Wage Rate increased more than $5.50, from $12.20 to $17.74. That 45 percent surge far outpaced a historically high inflation rate of 28 percent during the same period. This bill offers a meaningful solution to volatile wage increases that put farmers out of business.

“SAWA would take important steps to streamline the program, reduce administrative burdens and provide greater certainty around wage rules. This legislation is a commonsense step toward protecting domestic food production, supporting family farms and ensuring American families continue to have access to a safe, healthy and affordable food supply.”

Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association: “The agricultural labor crisis is one of the greatest threats to fruit and vegetable production in Florida. As the nation’s largest user of the H-2A program, Florida agriculture has long called for reforms that improve access to a legal, reliable workforce and stabilize program costs. Chairman GT Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act meets that urgent need. We are grateful for his leadership on this issue and his commitment to advancing practical solutions for growers, and we commend members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation, including Rep. Laurel Lee and Rep. María Elvira Salazar, for co-sponsoring this legislation. The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act addresses the real-world challenges producers face every day, and FFVA is proud to strongly support it.”

Ted McKinney, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture: “For decades, the single most widespread and urgent issue we have heard from each and every state department of agriculture is the need for agricultural labor reform. The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act provides long-overdue improvements to the H-2A program that will make this vital program more accessible and affordable for farmers and ranchers across the U.S.”

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