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MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Andy Harris to Visit A.E. Phillips & Son Picking House on Hoopers Island to Highlight Maryland’s Growing H2B Struggles

May 1, 2023

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday at 10:00am, Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01) will visit A.E. Phillips & Son picking house on Hoopers Island to highlight the struggles Maryland picking houses are having with the current H-2B nonimmigrant visa lottery system. Small businesses in the crab picking industry that supply crab meat to local restaurants, have faced massive employee shortages as a result of Federal government limits on the hiring of vital temporary crab meat picking workers.

One of the oldest picking houses in the country, A.E. Phillips & Son has been shuttered the last two seasons because of a bad draw on the H-2B lottery system. This year, they drew a “B” category, and their pickers will begin arriving this week. Congressman Harris will visit the picking house at the start of their season.

WHAT:          Congressman Andy Harris will visit A.E. Phillips & Son picking house.

                       Both the Congressman and picking house officials will take questions

                       after the event.

WHO:           Congressman Andy Harris

WHEN:        Wednesday, May 3rd at 10:00am

WHERE:      A. E. Phillips & Son--2423 Hoopers Island Rd, Fishing Creek, MD 21634

Media are welcome to attend and observe the event. Please RSVP to Anna.A@mail.house.gov for a press badge.

For media inquiries, please contact Congressman Harris’ Washington, DC office at 202-225-5311, or contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov