U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) joined Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor's H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology.
Codify the U.S. Department of Labor's H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology to stabilize agricultural labor costs.
Occurrences
The measure would codify the Trump Administration’s Interim Final Rule from the U.S. Department of Labor to amend the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker program Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) determining methodology.
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) joined Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) initiative to stabilize agricultural labor costs. This legislation aims to provide farmers with greater certainty and clarity when forecasting labor costs as they plan for future growing seasons.
U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) led several of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act today, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) initiative to stabilize agricultural labor costs. This legislation aims to provide farmers with greater certainty and clarity when forecasting labor costs as they plan for future growing seasons.
Mr. Budd (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Lummis, and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Full Title: To authorize, if applicable, the Secretary of Labor to annually establish a 2-tiered wage rate for H–2A workers that distinguishes between entry-level and experience-level workers and to annually establish a compensation adjustment factor to account for the value of housing provided to H–2A workers.
Evidence
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) joined Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) initiative to stabilize agricultural labor costs. This legislation aims to provide farmers with greater certainty and clarity when forecasting labor costs as they plan for future growing seasons.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has joined a legislative effort to stabilize agricultural labor costs by providing farmers with greater certainty and clarity when forecasting labor costs as they plan for future growing seasons. Hyde-Smith is an original cosponsor of the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act (S.4249), which was introduced by U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) last week. The measure would codify the Trump Administration’s Interim Final Rule from the U.S. Department of Labor to amend the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker program Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) determining methodology.
U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) led several of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act today, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) initiative to stabilize agricultural labor costs. This legislation aims to provide farmers with greater certainty and clarity when forecasting labor costs as they plan for future growing seasons.
Last Action Date Listed: March 26, 2026. Action: Mr. Budd (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Lummis, and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Bill S.4249 ... Title A bill to authorize, if applicable, the Secretary of Labor to annually establish a 2-tiered wage rate for H-2A workers that distinguishes between entry-level and experience-level workers and to annually establish a compensation adjustment factor to account for the value of housing provided to H-2A workers. Last Action 03/26/2026.
GovInfo's bill record lists S. 4249 as introduced on March 26, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee; no later action is shown on the record page.
The Senate record shows Senator Graham was added as a cosponsor of S. 4249, confirming continued legislative activity on the FARM Stability Act after introduction.
No matching text found for '4249' on the Judiciary Committee legislation page; the live list currently shows recent last-action dates through 06/15/2026.
Assessments
Tim Scott co-introduced the FARM Stability Act to codify the Department of Labor's H-2A AEWR methodology, which is a real legislative attempt. But the official bill record shows only introduction and referral to the Judiciary Committee, with no enactment or substantive advancement, so the promised codification was not delivered. Because this occurred during his current Senate term and the effort was meaningful but unsuccessful, the outcome is never with an effort badge.
Tim Scott did materially advance the goal by co-introducing the FARM Stability Act to codify the DOL H-2A AEWR methodology, but the available record shows only introduction and referral to the Judiciary Committee, with no enactment or other completed codification. That is a serious legislative attempt, not fulfillment of the promise.
Tim Scott materially advanced the promised policy by joining as an original co-sponsor/co-introducer of S.4249, the FARM Stability Act, which would codify the Department of Labor H-2A AEWR methodology. However, the record shows only introduction and referral to the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 26, 2026, with no enactment or completed codification. Because the bill remains a pending same-term legislative effort rather than a failed final outcome, the promise is not yet delivered but should be treated as unresolved with an effort badge.
Senator Tim Scott co-introduced legislation (the FARM Stability Act) to codify the Department of Labor's H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology, directly addressing the campaign promise. However, no evidence indicates that the bill was enacted into law or that the methodology was successfully codified. Therefore, the promise was not delivered, despite substantial legislative effort.
Senator Tim Scott co-introduced the FARM Stability Act to codify the Department of Labor's H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology, matching the campaign promise. However, there is no evidence that the legislation passed into law or that the methodology was successfully codified. Serious legislative effort was made, but the promised outcome was not delivered.