The H-2B Workforce Coalition and supporters of the H-2B visa program sent letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders. Letters were also sent to House and Senate Republican and Democratic Leadership. The letters urge lawmakers to reinstate the H-2B returning worker exemption in the continuing resolution that is currently being drafted and slated to run through March 31.

Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado is among the organizations and businesses that signed the letter.

Read the full text of letters below:
Letter to House Appropriations Committee leaders
Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders

Additional, the H-2B Workforce Coalition urges supporters to continue to make calls in support of the returning work exemption:

This week is likely the last week to influence whether or not the H-2B returning worker exemption is included in the funding measure that will run through the end of March. If the returning worker exemption is not reinstated in the continuing resolution, we expect many seasonal businesses to be shut out of the program. The cap could be reached by the end of December. We know you are tired on these emails and making calls, but the Hill needs to hear from you again this week.

PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL YOUR TWO SENATORS AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. ASK THEM URGE THEIR PARTY LEADERS TO INCLUDE THE H-2B RETURNING WORKER EXEMPTION IN THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION.

ASK YOUR REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TO SPEAK TO SPEAKER RYAN, MAJORITY LEADER MCCARTHY AND MAJORITY WHIP SCALISE.

ASK YOUR DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE TO SPEAK TO MINORITY LEADER PELOSI AND MAJORITY WHIP HOYER.

ASK YOUR REPUBLICAN SENATOR TO SPEAK TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL.

ASK YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TO SPEAK TO MINORITY LEADER REID.

If you do not know their direct numbers, you can reach them through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. Once connected to the office, ask to speak to the person who handles H-2B issues and stress the immediate need to renew the returning worker exemption. If you were shut out of the program in the past, please explain the costs suffered by your company and your American workers. Please be as specific as you can about the role this program plays in your business. Congress must understand that a failure to reinstate the H-2B returning worker exemption before March will result in American job losses.

In addition to phone calls, emails and tweets and your Senators and Representative help too. Don’t forget to use #saveH2B. Finally encourage your employees, co-workers, suppliers, and other seasonal businesses to reach out to their elected officials. This is the last change we will have to renew the returning worker exemption and save the H-2B program before March.

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