The following is a statement from Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president of government affairs, on the COVID-19 relief package released today by Senate Republicans:
The relief package released today by Senate Republicans fails to provide what’s needed to protect food and farm workers from COVID-19 or to address the needs of families struggling with hunger. Many of the people who feed us are especially susceptible to the coronavirus sweeping the nation. As more and more become sick, food supply chains will continue to unravel, causing food prices to spike.
Rather than allowing employers to endanger their workers, as Senate Republicans have recklessly proposed, Congress must ensure that food and farm workers have protective gear, access to COVID-19 testing, and sick and hazard pay. Congress must also increase the standard SNAP benefit to help ensure every family has enough to eat. Legislators must do more to protect our food supply chains and the people who help feed us at great personal risk to themselves.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
