Introduction
On October 29, 2015 Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2015 (S.2225). On November 4, 2015, Representatives Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), and Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-La.) introduced the Strengthen Employment and Seasonal Opportunities Now (Season) Act (H.R. 3918). The bills would make many needed reforms to the H-2B temporary, non-agricultural worker program that will make it less burdensome for employers, including those in the horse industry to use.
AHC Position
Improvements to the H-2B program have been a priority of the horse industry for many years. The difficulty horse farms, horse shows, trainers and others have had recruiting American workers has forced many to use the H-2B program to meet their labor needs, even though it is costly, time consuming and unreliable. These bills would overhaul the H-2B program and fix some of problems that have plagued the program while maintaining protections for both American and H-2B workers.
The American Horse Council supports these important reforms and urges members of the horse industry to contact their Members of Congress to voice support for the bills.