At press time for this issue, efforts were under way in Washington, D.C. to pass needed immigration reform.

The Senate was expected in late June to resume debate over the compromise bill, which has the backing of President Bush.

During debate, the Senate was expected to consider up to 25 amendments with about half being offered by Republican members.

Up to $9 billion in U.S. annual production is at risk of being lost to farmers in other countries if the immigration issue is not resolved. Our nation’s food security is also threatened. This is a top priority for Farm Bureau.

Please urge your senators to support the bipartisan immigration bill and oppose deal breaker amendments that threaten the overall package. Stress the importance to U.S. agriculture of resolving this issue in the Senate in the next few weeks.