119-HJRES-154 Journalist Public Summary
Plain‑English overview of H.J.Res. 154 (119th Congress), which would use the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Labor Department’s Oct. 2, 2025 rule changing how H‑2A farmworker wages are set; who supports and opposes it; and where it stands as of March 27, 2026.
Headline Summary
H.J.Res. 154 would nullify the Labor Department’s October 2, 2025 rule that revamped how minimum wages for H‑2A farmworkers are calculated.
What It Does
The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to disapprove a Department of Labor rule that changed the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR)—the floor wage H‑2A agricultural employers must offer—by shifting to Bureau of Labor Statistics data and setting occupation- and skill‑based rates for non‑range farm jobs. If the resolution becomes law, that 2025 rule would have no force or effect. (dol.gov)
Why It Matters
Supporters of overturning the rule say the 2025 methodology cuts pay for many H‑2A workers, which could also put downward pressure on wages for U.S. farmworkers doing similar jobs. (oag.ca.gov)
Opponents of the resolution (who favor keeping the 2025 rule) argue the changes give growers cost relief and predict significant savings that could help stabilize food production costs. (wga.com)
Who’s For It
- House sponsors are Democrats (e.g., Zoe Lofgren, Mark Pocan, Donald Norcross, Adriano Espaillat, Pramila Jayapal, Jamie Raskin, Ilhan Omar).
- Farmworker and worker‑advocacy groups have urged DOL to withdraw the 2025 rule, arguing it lowers wages for H‑2A workers. (epi.org)
- A multistate coalition led by California’s Attorney General formally opposed the 2025 rule, saying it would reduce farmworker pay. (oag.ca.gov)
Who’s Against It
- Agricultural employer groups generally support the 2025 rule and would likely oppose this resolution; Western Growers and allied groups have backed the rule during litigation and public comment. (wga.com)
- Commodity organizations such as the National Cotton Council praised the changes as beneficial to H‑2A users. (cotton.org)
- Produce industry voices highlighted projected employer savings under the 2025 approach. (freshfruitportal.com)
What’s Next
Status: Introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on March 26, 2026. If Congress passes the CRA resolution and it is signed by the President, the 2025 rule is void and DOL is barred from issuing a new rule that is “substantially the same” unless Congress later authorizes it; in the Senate, CRA resolutions receive expedited consideration and are not subject to a filibuster. (congress.gov)
Discussion