Palmetto State News

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has taken a stand against the Department of Labor's actions that are contributing to high grocery prices and food insecurity in the country. Senator Scott, along with Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and 15 other Senate colleagues, introduced the Supporting Farm Operations Act, which aims to address the increasing labor costs for farmers and combat the record high food prices affecting Americans.

In a statement, Senator Scott expressed his concerns about the impact of the Department of Labor's policies on farmers and consumers, saying, "The Biden administration’s plan to undercut our farmers isn’t just bad for farmers, it’s bad for America."

President Harry Ott of the South Carolina Farm Bureau emphasized the importance of the H-2A Program for American agriculture, stating, "Our farmers are facing record-high costs in all aspects of farming. Labor is no exception and our farmers need a short-term solution to stabilize these costs so they can remain in production."

The Supporting Farm Operations Act has garnered support from various organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, International Fresh Produce Association, and American Hort. Additionally, the legislation has received cosponsorship from several senators including Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Since 1987, the DOL’s H-2A visa program has been crucial in providing seasonal labor for the US farm labor market. The utilization of affordable wages and an efficient H-2A hiring process is particularly important for smaller farms.

The full text of the Supporting Farm Operations Act can be found on the official government website.

The introduction of this legislation highlights Senator Scott's ongoing efforts to support farmers, secure the food chain, and address the challenges faced by the agricultural industry in the United States.