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Rep. Finkenauer response to meat packing pandemic

Finkenauer

The increase in COVID-19 cases in Marshalltown and Iowa meat packing plants has inspired congressional action.

Rep. Abby Finkenauer, IA-D, introduced legislation to the House of Representatives to increase safety standards for essential and at-risk employees during the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday.

“I am incredibly concerned about what we are seeing coming out of our food processing plants in our state,” Finkenauer said. “We have folks talking to us who are scared to speak out.”

The bill would also include protection to employees who speak about the condition of the plants where they work.

Previously Finkenauer has called for Gov. Kim Reynolds to issue a stay at home order because of Iowa’s essential work force and food supply chain.

Reynolds has yet to issue a stay at home order.

The bill was introduced as more cases of COVID-19 are reported in meat packing plants all around Iowa.

“There seems to be a lack of oversight in these meat packing plants in general,” Finkenauer said. “That’s something we’re hearing different reports from our constituents who are calling concerned about what they’re seeing.”

Finkenauer is worried by the growing cases around the state reported in those plants.

“You’re seeing these cases explode both in Waterloo and Marshalltown,” she said. “I know our farmers rely on these food processing plants, they produce the food for our nations.”

The plants require a deep cleaning and their employees need to be tested, Finkenauer said.

Last week Finkenauer sent letters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) asking for enforceable safety standards, COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment for employees at meat processing plants around the state.

“What we desperately need is personal protective equipment and so does every single essential worker in our country and our state and the fact that we have a shortage in the way that we do in the United States of America is absolutely unacceptable,” Finkenauer said. “The president has the power through the Defense Production act to order the creation of PPE. He has chosen not to use it and it is devastating to our state and our communities in our country.”

During the pandemic Finkenauer has engaged with First District residents through tele town halls.

“Trying to keep in touch with people to find out what they’re going through,” she said.

Finkenauer is going to Washington D.C. on Wednesday to help pass another bill to add $50 billion to help offset a possible recession created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new bill will add money to a small business loan fund to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.

“When you’re in a district like mine in particular, we have a large number of small community banks and credit unions,” Finkenauer said.

Those smaller financial institutions weren’t getting the money they needed to give loans out to small businesses.

“Those are the ones that might need $10,000 loans or $15,000 loans,” she said.

The $50 billion stimulus is one part of a larger bill planned to help small businesses.

“It’s an interim bill and we’re still looking ahead to this fourth package where there’s even more work to do,” Finkenauer said. “This is considered more of a supplemental interim package, not the whole fourth package. The fourth package will be even more comprehensive priorities.”

The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate and President Donald Trump has signaled he would sign it if it comes to his desk.

She wants to see hazard pay included in the full fourth bill for the nation’s essential workforce.

“So the folks that are out there on the front line who are doing their jobs everyday deserve our respect and gratitude and support,” she said. “This is an ongoing pandemic and quite frankly $1,200, if this continues to go on, is not going to be enough for our folks to keep up with paying their rent, their mortgage, feeding their kids so we’re going to have to do more.”

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Contact Thomas Nelson at tnelson@timesrepublican.com.

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