H-2B relief poised to become law

 

The bill will do the following through Sept. 30: 

• Exempt H-2B returning workers from the 66,000 annual cap 

• Address H-2B wages and allow the use of private wage surveys, which are not allowed under the new final H-2B wage rule

• Clearly define seasonal as ten months, as opposed to the nine months in the new interim final H-2B comprehensive rule

• Prevent DOL from implementing the provisions of the interim final rule related to corresponding employment and the ¾ guarantee

• Prevent DOL from implementing the new and burdensome DOL enforcement scheme in the IFR related to audit and the Certifying Officer (CO) assisted recruitment

 

1. Call your representative and two senators and express support for H-2B provisions in the omnibus spending bill. If they have been supportive of the H-2B program, thank them for working with their colleagues to address the H-2B program. You can reach your member of Congress and two senators through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. Once connected to the office, please ask to speak to the staff person who handles H-2B issues. 

2. Ttake a few minutes to thank key lawmakers on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. 

 

Tweet about the importance of the appropriations measure to your business using #saveH2B. Direct the tweets to your two senators and your member of Congress, as well as key lawmakers – Senators Cochran (R-MS), Mikulski (D-MD), Hoeven (R-ND), Shaheen (D-NH), Blunt (R-MO), Murray (D-WA), Cassidy (R-LA), Tillis (R-NC), Warner (D-VA) and Reps. Hal Rogers (R-KY), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Carter (R-TX), Roybal-Allard, Cole (R-OK), DeLauro (D-CT), Harris (R-MD), Goodlatte (R-VA), Chabot (R-OH), and Boustany (R-LA). 

 

3. Send a letter to your representative and two senators thanking them for supporting the H-2B provisions in the appropriations bill and explaining the importance of the legislation to your business and your workers. You can do this through NALP's advocacy webpage.

 

If you have any questions about this issue, contact Tom Delaney, NALP director of government affairs, at 800-395-2522.