In a bid to address long-standing labor shortages in the agriculture sector, Nebraska’s congressional delegation finds itself at odds over a new bill that seeks to grant temporary legal status to undocumented farmworkers and expand the H-2A guest worker program. While two of Nebraska’s three Republican House members initially co-sponsored the bill, one has since reconsidered his support.
The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, aims to reform the agricultural guest worker visa system. Nebraska Representatives Don Bacon and Mike Flood were among the original cosponsors, but Rep. Adrian Smith chose not to endorse the bill.
Understanding the Proposed Legislation
This legislative proposal allows undocumented agricultural workers with a verifiable work history to apply for H-2A visa status. The bill also seeks to broaden H-2A eligibility to include year-round agricultural operations and simplify the application process.
As of the latest update, the bill has garnered support from 51 cosponsors, with 47 Republicans and four Democrats. Although Flood has expressed his intent to withdraw, his official withdrawal will only be possible once the House reconvenes on August 31.
Bacon Defends the Bill
In a conversation with Nebraska Public Media News, Rep. Don Bacon emphasized the bill’s significance as the first major reform to agricultural guest worker visas in decades, citing labor shortages as a key motivator.
Bacon stated, “GT Thompson — he’s the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Republican for Pennsylvania — put this bill together. His reasoning is it’s been decades since we’ve done any reforms to these agriculture visas… they’re only about one fourth of the need that’s out there.”
The bill, according to Bacon, would expand the number of available agricultural visas from approximately 100,000 to 400,000.
Bacon addressed critics labeling the bill as amnesty, clarifying, “They can get a visa, and now they’re legal, but it’s not a permanent visa. And on top of that, it provides no pathway to citizenship… that’s the mark of amnesty.”
He countered comparisons to slavery circulating on social media, asserting that the bill guarantees a living wage through H-2A wage requirements. Bacon attributed the online backlash to a vocal minority, citing national polls indicating broad support for legal pathways short of mass deportation.
A Gallup poll from July 2026 found 75% of Americans support allowing undocumented immigrants to become citizens under certain conditions, aligning with Bacon’s stance.
Flood Retracts Support
Rep. Mike Flood announced his withdrawal as a cosponsor, citing constituent concerns over the bill’s provisions impacting immigration laws.
Flood explained, “Concerns from constituents, conservative leaders and Nebraska ag producers have made clear that provisions in the Securing America’s Workforce Act are not the right way to uphold our immigration laws.”
Bacon chose not to criticize Flood’s decision, stating, “I’m not going to criticize him or say he’s wrong. He’s going to do what he thinks is right.”
Smith’s Opposition
Rep. Adrian Smith also opposes the bill, voicing concerns over its potential to reward illegal behavior. Smith’s office highlighted the need for tailored solutions to address the diverse challenges facing Nebraska’s agricultural sector.
Smith remarked, “I appreciate my colleagues’ efforts to address challenges to labor for America’s agriculture industry. Unfortunately, good intentions can have unintended consequences.”
Support from Agricultural Organizations
Rep. Bacon claims the bill is backed by over 520 agricultural organizations, including 20 from Nebraska. In a public exchange on X with a Nebraska rancher critical of the bill, Bacon suggested consulting the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Cattlemen for their perspectives.
While the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Cattlemen are not explicitly named in the bill’s stakeholder-support documentation, Bacon confirmed their support through personal conversations.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau was unavailable for comment, and Nebraska Cattlemen did not respond to inquiries.
