JZ on D.C.

Jennifer Zurko

Registration is now open for AmericanHort’s fly-in legislative event, Impact Washington. It will be held September 15-17 in Washington, D.C., where you’ll get to hear insights from experts on the topics of labor, Farm Bill programs, research, taxes and regulation. Plus, you’ll get to advocate for your business directly with your congressional offices to help your representatives understand the policies that affect our industry. For more information (including hotel) and to register, GO HERE.  

In early April, AmericanHort President and CEO Ken Fisher, joined by Matt Mika, VP of Advocacy & Government Affairs, traveled to Washington, D.C., to engage with policymakers on key issues impacting the horticulture industry. Their discussions focused on the challenges and costs of the H-2A and H-2B programs, labor and workforce concerns, tariffs, taxes and small business pressures.

Ken met with U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, officials from the USDA and Small Business Administration, Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), and Representative Roger Williams (R-TX-25), Chairman of the House Small Business Committee. He also connected with the CEO of the National Potato Council and other industry leaders to build alignment on shared priorities. 
—Source: AmericanHort

The H-2B visa cap for the second half of Fiscal Year 2025 was likely reached sometime during the week of March 3. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) didn’t immediately announce that the cap had been reached or when employers could begin applying for returning workers with start dates on or after April 1. 

Under the H-2B rule on supplemental visas issued in November, employers may begin applying for supplemental visas 15 days after the cap is reached, highlighting the urgent need for a timely announcement. AmericanHort members Alan Jones (Manor View Farm, Maryland), Bob Jones (Chef’s Garden, Ohio) and Jake Pierson (Pierson Nurseries, Maine) joined the AmericanHort Advocacy & Government Affairs team in meetings with legislators and Trump administration officials to stress the critical need for additional visas.

Following these meetings and an email campaign to Congress facilitated by AmericanHort, DHS announced on March 26 that the cap had officially been reached on March 5. Employers became eligible to request visas for the early second half of FY25 (April 1 - May 14) as of March 20, 2025. For returning workers with employment start dates from May 15 through September 30, employers were able to file petitions starting April 21, 2025.
For more information, visit USCIS’s website.
—Rachel Pick, AmericanHort

AmericanHort has created a very handy infographic showing how demographics in Congress have been changing with each election. A growing number of lawmakers are Millennials and Gen Z, especially ones serving in their first term after the 2024 election.
—JZ

The Treasury Department announced that it will not enforce penalties or fines for Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) reporting requirements, both under existing deadlines and after forthcoming rule changes. Additionally, it plans to narrow the rule’s scope to apply only to foreign reporting companies, offering significant relief to U.S. businesses. This follows FinCEN’s decision to pause CTA enforcement, providing reassurance to those who have delayed filing. While this is a positive step, uncertainties remain regarding the future of the underlying statute and pending court challenges. The business community plans to continue supporting legal challenges and working with Congress to ensure permanent repeal of the law’s requirements.
—Source: AmericanHort

The Trump administration is moving to redefine “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act, aligning with the Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to draft a new rule ensuring uniform application nationwide. A new memorandum limits federal jurisdiction to wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to regulated waters. The expedited rule-making process will include withdrawing the 2023 Biden-era rule and seeking public input. Lawmakers and agricultural leaders urge a clear, simple rule, while the EPA plans further stakeholder engagement and potential additional guidance.
—Source: AmericanHort