Thompson Unveils SAWA H-2A Reform Bill, 400-Plus Groups Back It

TL;DR: House Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA-15) unveiled the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA) on June 30, 2026, the most significant H-2A reform in years. The bill broadens year-round H-2A access, removes the seasonal work requirement, revises wage calculation, and streamlines applications. It carries backing from more than 400 farm organizations and over 40 House co-sponsors.

Key takeaway

SAWA would remove the H-2A seasonal work requirement and open year-round guestworker access, backed by 400-plus farm groups but routed through House Judiciary, not Agriculture.

What happened

House Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA-15) unveiled the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA) on June 30, 2026. Agri-Pulse described it as the most significant H-2A reform legislation in years.

The H-2A program is the federal visa channel that lets agricultural employers hire foreign workers when domestic labor is short. Under current rules, H-2A jobs must be temporary or seasonal, which locks out year-round operations like dairies.

SAWA makes four core changes. It broadens year-round H-2A access, removes the existing seasonal work requirement, revises the wage calculation methodology, and streamlines the application process. Thompson is the lead sponsor.

The bill launched with more than 40 House co-sponsors and backing from over 400 farm organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Western Growers, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). AFBF President Zippy Duvall said labor "always comes out of every farmer's mouth." As of June 30, 2026, there is no Senate companion bill.

What it means

SAWA targets the labor constraint that farm groups consistently rank as a top concern. Removing the seasonal requirement would directly affect operations that need workers year-round, a change dairy and livestock producers have sought for years.

Here is who stands to gain most:

• Dairy and livestock producers: Year-round access would let them use H-2A for the first time in practice, since their work is not seasonal.
• Specialty crop growers: Streamlined applications and revised wage rules address long-standing complaints about cost and paperwork, reflected in backing from Western Growers, IFPA, and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.
• Ag employers broadly: A revised wage methodology could change the Adverse Effect Wage Rate calculation that employers say drives up labor costs.

The 400-plus organization coalition is unusually broad and spans commodity, produce, and dairy interests. That scale signals real appetite for labor reform, a theme worth tracking against the broader changes from the 2018 Farm Bill and the items still absent from the package in what's missing.

One structural point matters: labor and immigration jurisdiction lies with the House Judiciary Committee, not the House Agriculture Committee. That means SAWA moves on a separate track from Farm Bill 2.0 itself, even though its chief sponsor leads Agriculture.

What's next

As of June 30, 2026, SAWA sits with the House Judiciary Committee, which holds jurisdiction over H-2A and immigration matters. Committee action would be the next formal step, though no schedule has been announced.

A Senate companion has not yet been introduced. Without one, the bill's path to enactment is uncertain, and the timing relative to Farm Bill 2.0 remains open. Readers can follow the reauthorization's progress on our timeline and status page.

The coalition's size could give labor reform momentum as Farm Bill 2.0 negotiations advance. Whether any SAWA provisions get folded into the broader package, or whether it stays a standalone measure, is likely to depend on Judiciary Committee movement and Senate interest. For those who want to weigh in, our contact Congress tools list committee members, and the full reauthorization text is summarized in our full bill summary.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA)?

SAWA is an H-2A reform bill unveiled by House Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA-15) on June 30, 2026. It broadens year-round H-2A access, removes the seasonal work requirement, revises wage calculation methodology, and streamlines the application process. Agri-Pulse called it the most significant H-2A reform legislation in years. It launched with over 40 House co-sponsors and backing from more than 400 farm organizations.

Does SAWA remove the H-2A seasonal work requirement?

Yes. SAWA removes the existing seasonal work requirement from the H-2A program, according to Agri-Pulse. That change would let year-round operations, such as dairies, use the H-2A guestworker program in practice. Under current rules, H-2A jobs must be temporary or seasonal, which excludes operations that need workers all year long.

Is SAWA part of the Farm Bill 2.0 (H.R. 7567)?

No. SAWA is a standalone bill, and jurisdiction over H-2A and immigration lies with the House Judiciary Committee, not the House Agriculture Committee. It moves on a separate track from Farm Bill 2.0 (H.R. 7567). However, its lead sponsor chairs the Agriculture Committee, and the large farm coalition behind it could influence Farm Bill negotiations.

Which organizations support SAWA?

More than 400 farm organizations back SAWA, according to Agri-Pulse. Named supporters include the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Western Growers, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). The coalition spans commodity, specialty crop, and dairy interests.

Is there a Senate version of SAWA?

No. As of June 30, 2026, there is no Senate companion bill for SAWA. Without one, the legislation's path to enactment is uncertain. The bill was introduced in the House with over 40 co-sponsors and now sits with the House Judiciary Committee, which holds jurisdiction over H-2A and immigration matters.

Sources

• Agri-Pulse , Lydia Johnson, "Thompson Unveils Sweeping Ag Labor Reform Bill (SAWA) Backed by 400+ Farm Organizations," dated 2026-06-30.