Livestock farmers are pushing for the Senate to pass an immigration bill that will modernize the agricultural visa system.
The agricultural industry is hoping the Senate will vote on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) between
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Livestock farmers argue the current system does not address their need for year-round workers who have experience with animals.
FWMA was passed by the House and Sens.
Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) are leading the effort to pass the bill in the Senate.
The bill would provide a path to citizenship for farmworkers who have been in the country for more than a decade.
Employers would have to go through more stringent hiring protections to prevent unauthorized foreign workers from joining the workforce.