By Rick Scott
Florida growers play a critical role in providing for and contributing to the state, its families and businesses. They are job creators, innovators and hardworking Floridians that drive our state forward generation after generation and show the rewards of hard work in achieving the American dream. That’s why I am so proud to fight every day in the U.S. Senate to support Florida’s growers, stop burdensome regulation from hurting their livelihoods and ensure that when disaster strikes — whether it’s citrus greening or a hurricane — our agriculture industry has all the resources it needs to recover.
Disaster Relief and Farm Bill
After Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida in 2022, I introduced legislation to give the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) explicit authority to provide block grants as an option to states and territories that had losses from natural disasters, not just in Florida but across the country. This is something USDA has done following natural disasters in years past, and it’s unacceptable that farmers have been waiting over a year for disaster aid they desperately need. Folks around the country that put food on our tables and create jobs in our states are hurting, and I won’t stop fighting to get this bill passed for you.
I’ve also been working on the federal level to advance good policy for Florida growers in this year’s reauthorization of the farm bill. This includes cutting regulatory red tape to allow growers to farm safely and efficiently, enforcing Buy America requirements in the USDA’s school meal programs and strengthening disaster relief aid that works for Florida farmers and ranchers.
H-2A Reforms
As I travel around Florida, I am hearing from so many of you that are struggling to afford the increasing cost of labor thanks to the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) set by the U.S. Department of Labor for H-2A visa workers, which has increased by 5% for the third year in a row. Farms that employ H-2A workers already cover the costs of housing and transportation for these workers — costs that have all skyrocketed thanks to the inflation crisis. Mandating a wage increase for a third consecutive year is not sustainable for small and family-owned farms and could hurt domestic production across the nation. My colleagues and I are working to pass the Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024 to freeze this wage rate as we continue to fight against reckless spending that is fueling the inflation crisis that has caused prices to rise 19.4% since President Biden took office.
Supporting Farmers at Home
I am also fighting to protect America’s agricultural industry from improper foreign investment in U.S. farmland and to make sure the United States acknowledges and supports a strong, domestic agriculture industry and supply chains to ensure a safe and secure food supply. This includes working with my colleagues in the Florida delegation to petition the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate a Section 301 investigation of fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico, which has led to unfair treatment for Florida’s growers.
Florida’s growers are so important to our state and nation. When you do well, we all benefit, and I will do everything I can to be your partner in Washington and fight for your success. I won’t stop working to make sure that the federal government keeps showing up to help the hardworking men and women who put food on our tables and feed our communities.
Republican Rick Scott represents Florida in the United States Senate and is the former governor of Florida.