(From left to right) Rep. Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Keating (D-MA) and Rep. Pingree (D-ME)


the Committee we will also be looking towards FY 22 Appropriations as a vehicle for a Returning Worker Exception. Appropriations are how we have been able to secure discre- tionary language in each of the last five years (not an easy task). This year if we have momentum behind the Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021 it makes it much more likely to request this provision in the FY 22 Ap- propriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The full Appropriations Com- mittee mark-up date for FY 22 DHS is July 13 and we will need all hands on deck to secure support from each member of the Committee.


Even if a Returning Worker Exception provision is included in DHS FY 22 there will still be hurdles ahead. First, DHS appropriations have not passed independently for several years due to border security and


immigration issues that are very controversial. This has tradition- ally led to DHS appropriations getting pulled into a Continuing Resolution that will expire in De- cember as lawmakers scramble to pass all necessary legislation in “one fell swoop” to avert a government shut-down (sounds familiar right...)? The problem is that a Re- turning Worker Exception is con- sidered “authorizing” legislation and typically House and Senate Leadership (Pelosi, McCarthy, Schumer and McConnell) disfa- vor this approach. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, in fact, it happens every year BUT only when there is significant bipartisan support to signal to leadership. So we come full circle we need to push for co-sponsors, co-sponsors and more co-sponsors.


I do want to take a moment to note that while there are still many hurdles in front of us I still


There has not been a stand-alone H-2B legislation


for several Congresses and while we thank all our original co-sponsors the credit also goes to all you that have been advocating for H-2B reform for so long. Your voices are being heard. I want to personally thank all of you.


SIGN UP FOR


The Advocate weekly e-newsletter at landscapeprofessionals.org/ advocate


National Association of Landscape Professionals 39


think it’s important to recognize the accomplishment of intro- ducing the Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021. There has not been a stand- alone H-2B legislation for sev- eral Congresses and while we thank all our original co-spon- sors the credit also goes to all you that have been advocating for H-2B reform for so long. Your voices are being heard. I want to personally thank all of you and also highlight the significant efforts put in by the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and the Ohio Land- scape Association, their efforts were instrumental with Rep. Cuellar (D-TX) and Rep. Joyce (R-OH) respectively. TLP


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44