Critical week in the H-2B fight Email
News
Monday, March 12, 2018 02:00 AM


H-2B update

Congressional negotiations over the fiscal 2018 year-end spending bill, also known as the omnibus appropriations bill, could be wrapped up this week. Legislation must be signed into law by March 23. It is crucial that you weigh in with your elected officials one last time and urge them to personally speak to their party leaders about the urgent need to include H-2B cap relief in the omnibus bill. Please focus on calling your own elected officials, rather than reaching out directly to leadership offices.

Calls from non-constituents to Congressional leaders will not influence the process, but a personal discussion between your Representative and Speaker Ryan, for example, could make a big difference. We know many of you have repeatedly reached out to your lawmakers, but we appreciate your doing so one last time. We need your help to #saveH2B.

What Can You Do?

  • Please call your Representative and Senators at their Washington, DC offices and stress the need for immediate cap relief. You can reach your elected officials through the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121. You can use the toll-free calling system set up by the National Association of Landscape Professionals by dialing 1-833-SAVEH2B (1-833-728-3422). This system will give you brief instructions and automatically connect you to the offices of your two Senators and your Representative.
  • Once connected to the office ask to speak to the staff person who handles H-2B issues. 
    • Tell them that they must include H-2B cap relief in the omnibus appropriations bill that will be negotiated between now and March 23. Stress the fact that 67% of businesses seasonal labor needs will go unfulfilled this spring without immediate action. Explain the specific impacts on your business and your American workforce if you cannot hire H-2B workers.
    • Urge your Senators and Representative to speak to their party leaders about the need for immediate H-2B cap relief. 
  • Tweet at your Representative and Senators about the need for immediate cap relief using #SaveH2B and re-tweet others’ tweets. You can find their twitter address at https://twitter.com/verified/lists/us-congress/members. Sample tweets are below.
  • Encourage your co-workers, suppliers, and customers to also reach out to their elected officials. 
Sample Tweets


The best tweets are those that you personalize to your member of Congress and that are specific to your state. For example:

  • @SpeakerRyan Wisconsin hotels need Congress to pass H-2B cap relief now! #saveH2B
  • @SenateMajLdr‪ Kentucky seasonal businesses need H-2B cap relief now. #SaveH2B
  • @USRepRodney NJ seasonal businesses need H-2B cap relief now. #SaveH2B
  • ‪@HouseAppropsGOP Help #saveH2B. Pass H-2B cap relief now!
  • @AppropsDems Help #saveH2B. Pass H-2B cap relief now!
  • @NitaLowey NY seasonal businesses cannot survive unless Congress passes H-2B cap relief now! #saveH2B
  • @JudgeCarter TX seasonal businesses need H-2B cap relief now! #saveH2B
  • @RepRoybalAllard California carnivals need the H-2B cap relief now! #SaveH2B
  • @SenThadCochran MS seafood processors need the H-2B cap relief now. #SaveH2B
  • @SenatorLeahy #SaveH2B and save Vermont jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now! 
  • @SenateApprops Help #saveH2B. Pass H-2B cap relief now!
  • @JohnBoozman Arkansas businesses need LEGAL seasonal workers. Pass H-2B cap relief & save American jobs #saveH2B
  • @SenatorShaheen NH seasonal businesses need Congress to pass H-2B cap relief now! #saveH2B
  • @RoyBlunt thanks for fighting to #SaveH2B and to save Missouri jobs!
  • @PattyMurray #saveH2B and save Washington State jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now!
  • @TomColeOK04 #saveH2B. Save Oklahoma jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now!
  • @rosadelauro CT landscapers need H-2B cap relief now! #SaveH2B
  • @RepJerryNadler #saveH2B and save NY jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now.
  • @RepGoodlatte VA businesses need LEGAL seasonal workers. Pass H-2B cap relief & save American jobs #saveH2B

Additional Sample Tweets to be directed at your Senators and Representative:

  • It is essential that Congress pass H-2B cap now! US businesses and US workers need you to #saveH2B
  • The H-2B program relies on workers who come to the U.S. for seasonal work, then go home. #saveH2B
  • Every H-2B worker creates and sustains 4.64 American jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now! #saveH2B
  • #saveH2B and save American Jobs! Pass H-2B cap relief now!
  • H-2B program = more American jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now. #saveH2B
  • H-2B workers support American jobs. Pass H-2B cap relief now. Save US jobs and #saveH2B