Since we first received a commitment from Senator Graham (R-SC) to introduce the landscaping to H-2A bill, we have made it our mission to engage and secure targeted Democratic cosponsors for this bill. We started with outreach to the following Senators:
- Michael Bennet (CO)
- Tom Carper (DE)
- Chris Coons (DE)
- Angus King (ME)
- Joe Manchin (WV)
- Gary Peters (MI)
- Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
- Kyrsten Sinema (AZ)
- Mark Warner (VA)
We focused on bringing getting every H-2B stakeholder in these states to reach out to their Senator. We engaged the local chambers of commerce, the local trade associations (such as hospitality and landscape) and every H-2B user we could reach. It was an all hands on deck campaign. This resulted in, on July 22nd, Senator Joe Manchin agreeing to be the original cosponsor of the S. 2443.
And since then we redoubled our efforts to obtain additional cosponsors of the legislation. We narrowed our focus to:
- Tom Carper (DE)
- Chris Coons (DE)
- Amy Klobuchar (MN)
- Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
As part of this effort, we drafted a letter to each Senator signed by all H-2B stakeholders in the corresponding states requesting cosponsorship of S. 2443. This effort has paid significant dividends. The increased outreach has resulted in these members taking a growing interest in the program. For example, we had a personal meeting with Senator Coons in December because his office said they flagged the meeting for the Senator due to the persistent outreach from constituents on this issue. It has also enabled us to form closer relationships with the state based associations and the local chambers of commerce. This paid off with the Rounds/King letter, most notably with the signature of the two Senators from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. We sent an email to all MN H-2B users and stakeholders the morning of February 8th. This resulted in outreach from the following:
- Eight employer emails to Klobuchar and Smith staff
- Jim Sinclair from the MN State Fair
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
- Minnesota Hospitality Association
And by 3 PM that afternoon Klobuchar and Smith had signed the letter! This rapid response was solely the result of the relationships we had formed as part of our effort to get Klobuchar to cosponsor S. 2443.
And all these efforts are getting us closer to obtaining a solution. A Returning Worker Exemption is emerging as the consensus solution to the cap crisis for the upcoming season. Without this campaign to secure additional Senate Democratic supporters, we would not be in the position to make this play. Let’s keep it up!