NMPF Downbeat on Prospects For Immigration Reform In The Near-Term

Despite continued calls for immigration reform from the ag sector, prospects for any legislation to clear Congress in the near-term remain dim, officials with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) told reporters this week. "I think it's going to be a challenge to get a bill through this environment. Given the politically charged nature of the issue is we approach a presidential election year," said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. Officials from several ag groups, including NMPF, are set to discuss the issue in a White House meeting this week, "so we may know more later," he added. The window for lawmakers to coalesce around legislation before next year's elections is rapidly closing, noted NMPF Vice President for Government Relations Paul Bleiberg. A reform package "would have to be done in a relatively short period of time," likely "this year rather than next," in order to stand a chance of passage, he said.