A bill seeking to revamp a visa program allowing farmers to hire temporary foreign workers has been touted by advocates as a boon for the agriculture industry, but even they acknowledge it faces an uphill climb.

House Agriculture Chair GT Thompson (R-Pa.) unveiled the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act in June, saying it’s a way to streamline an outdated system and tackle the farm country’s “workforce crisis.”

But the legislation faces stiff headwinds once lawmakers return from the midterm elections, with a growing list of other priorities to tackle before year’s end.

“Right now, everybody’s out, you know, politicking, you know, they’re doing their speeches, they’re trying to get elected, right? So nothing’s going to happen right now,” said Enrique Gastelum, CEO of the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, who called the legislation “one of the best bills we’ve had presented in a very, very long time.”

The bill is focused on updating the H-2A labor program. It would stabilize wage calculations, expand eligibility beyond seasonal work, and streamline applications through an electronic system. Critics have said the bill doesn’t go far enough, with some arguing that the expansion of H-2A visas should not come without a green card pathway for workers.

Adding to the challenge of passing the bill is Congress’ crowded itinerary in the coming months. The House and Senate, for example, are currently in talks to strike a deal on a farm bill lawmakers can send to President Donald Trump‘s desk.

“The agriculture industry has made it clear that the H-2A program must be modernized for the 21st century,” Thompson’s communications director Caroline Leach said in a statement, adding Thompson is continuing conversations to keep the bill “top of mind for legislators, now and after the elections.”

Lorin Harvey, a Mississippi State University sweet potato specialist, said 97% of Mississippi’s sweet potato planting and harvesting workforce uses H-2A visas. “Without a functional H-2A program, you don’t have a sweet potato industry,” Harvey said, pointing to wage fluctuations, paperwork, and year-round labor needs as key areas for reform. He says the bill, whatever its flaws, tackles most of the pressing issues connected to the H-2A program.

“It doesn’t solve everything, no, but I don’t know that adding them in will give it a higher likelihood to pass, to be honest,” Harvey said.

As the midterm elections approach, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) plans to make the case to farmers that the Trump administration’s tariffs are driving up costs and hurting their businesses, arguing Republicans should be held accountable.

Schiff said during a press call Wednesday that he has spoken with farmers about the trade dispute with Canada and rising agricultural input costs. California’s wine industry has been particularly hard hit. “We saw 75% of our sales to Canada disappear practically overnight,” Schiff said.

The senator argued farmers who initially supported the administration are losing patience. “They just can’t afford it any longer. They don’t see the positive end of this.”

Schiff made the remarks following a two-day trip to Canada, where several provinces are retaliating against President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“Canadians may love our wine, but they don’t love America at the moment,” he argued.

Schiff is planning more Canada visits to continue advocating for his state’s agriculture industry.