Finkenauer Calls on Federal Agencies to Protect Employees at Iowa Meat Processing Plants
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) sent letters to three federal agencies asking for enforceable safety standards, COVID-19 testing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees at meat processing plants in Iowa. Finkenauer sent oversight letters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to highlight the urgency of the situation facing hard-working Iowans at these plants, and request immediate assistance.
“Listening to Iowans and ensuring their concerns are addressed is my top priority as a member of Congress,” Finkenauer said. “This week, I’ve heard from workers across my district facing dangerous conditions as they perform essential jobs in the middle of a deadly pandemic. I’m asking the USDA, the CDC and the Department of Labor to provide clear guidance and standards to protect the wellbeing of these frontline workers as well as our food supply and agricultural economy.”
The letter to USDA and DOL calls for additional federal resources to address the crisis as well as updated and enforceable safety standards at food processing plants. The letter to the CDC seeks industry-specific health-and-safety guidance for food processors, just as the agency has already issued for other industries like airline and transit operators.
“Iowa plays a critical role in our nation’s economy as a major player in the domestic food supply chain. By protecting the essential employees who work in our processing plants, we are protecting the future of our state,” Finkenauer wrote in the letter to USDA and DOL. “They need testing, personal protective equipment, and leave policies that put their health ahead of the bottom line. Employers also need resources and clarity on how to protect them."
The urgent call for action comes amid confirmed cases of COVID-19 at meat processing plants in Iowa’s First Congressional District including:
- National Beef in Tama County
- JBS in Marshalltown
- Tyson in Waterloo
In a separate letter to the CDC, Finkenauer wrote, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put forth industry-specific guidance for our airlines and transit operators, and the workers who are keeping food on our grocery store shelves deserve the same,” “I urge you to issue such guidance immediately and work with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor. When it comes to our food supply chain, our processors need somewhere to turn if coronavirus affects their workforce. Issuing industry-specific guidance for food processing will ensure there are consistent, people-centered responses to prevent and manage outbreaks in plants across the country.”
Finkenauer also asked the CDC to deploy public health professionals to any affected community that requests additional assistance to help prevent and control the spread ofCOVID-19 among these essential workers.
Congresswoman Finkenauer’s Ongoing Response Efforts:
On April 16, Finkenauer announced that health care groups in Iowa may now apply to a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) telehealth grant program. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program provides $200 million in funding to enable more people to obtain health care services from home through their computers or phones. Funds from the grant will allow health care providers to purchase devices and broadband services necessary for providing connected services.
On April 15, Finkenauer helped lead more than 40 Representatives and Senators in writing a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli expressing concern that regulations for visa programs are standing in the way of the strongest possible medical response to COVID-19.
On April 13, Finkenauer led a bipartisan letter addressed to Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Association, expressing concern that there is no longer a full-time Director for the Office of Rural Affairs and urging the SBA to provide the Office of Rural Affairs with the necessary staff and resources to ensure that rural small businesses are able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 9, Finkenauer held telephone-town hall to discuss mental health impacts and resources around coronavirus.
On April 9, Finkenauer sent a letter to HHS Secretary Azar asking for information about how the $100 billion in the CARES Act for hospitals and health care providers will distributed, including information on Iowa’s share of the funding.
On April 2, Finkenuer sent letters to 11 federal agencies seeking updates on aid programs authorized by recent legislation to address the COVID-19 crisis.
On March 27, Finkenauer sent a letter to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds urging her to issue a statewide ‘stay-at-home’ order.
On March 27, Finkenauer voted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) an emergency aid package to help hospitals, frontline workers, and working families across Iowa and the country.
On March 26, held a telephone town hall for constituents in the First Congressional District. Business and workforce leaders from around the district answered questions about personal financial impacts of coronavirus response.
On March 25, Finkenauer released her priorities she pushed to have included in the third coronavirus response supplemental - Preparing Iowa Communities & Protecting our Families.
On March 19, Finkenauer held a telephone town hall for constituents in the First Congressional District. Health officials from Black Hawk and Linn counties participated and answered questions, as well as the liaison for Dubuque City and County Emergency Health Response Team.
Finkenauer also sent a letter to federal health officials on March 19, urging them to ensure Iowa medical professionals have the necessary protective equipment to treat patients.
Finkenauer joined a call for President Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to increase production of necessary medical supplies. On March 18, President Trump announced he would use the authority to avoid supply shortages.
On March 17, Finkenauer reached out to community leaders in Iowa asking for their concerns, priorities and more info on how the outbreak is affected local economies.
On March 15, Finkenauer sent a letter to Governor Kim Reynolds encouraging the state to create a more centralized location for key information, including consideration of school closures.
Finkenauer voted to pass an emergency package to help Iowa families and health professionals impacted by coronavirus on March 14.
Taking early action, Finkenauer voted to approve a critical coronavirus funding package to help expand testing and research. Finkenauer also sent an oversight letter to the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar seeking specific answers on whether local health agencies and hospitals have the tools they need.
On March 13, Finkenauer helped host a Small Business Committee hearing on Coronavirus and asked a witness about health and safety, and financial security for hard-working Iowans impacted by coronavirus.
Finkenauer followed up that hearing with an oversight letter asking the Small Business Administration (SBA) about their progress on providing information on small business assistance to Iowans along with what methods they will be doing outreach to Iowa businesses. Later that day, the SBA posted this information webpage.
Finkenauer also published a coronavirus informational page to help Iowans access important information regarding the global pandemic. The page is available at https://finkenauer.house.gov/coronavirus-information
Finkenauer’s office has been in contact with area hospitals, business organizations, schools and colleges with respect to the virus to understand any ongoing concerns. Finkenauer has also spoken with Governor Kim Reynolds for an update on Iowa’s response to coronavirus.