DeLauro Statement on President Biden’s Bold Approach to Feeding Families and Protecting Workers

WASHINGTON – House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on President Biden's third wave of executive orders, which aim to tackle hunger and protect workers:

"We have been battling the coronavirus pandemic for more than a year. The leadership President Biden has shown in his first few days has filled a void in our nation's response and will save lives.

"Among the record number of executive orders signed by President Biden is a plan for putting food on families' tables. As the wealthiest nation on Earth, American children and families should never go to sleep hungry. I have long supported expanding and extending federal nutrition assistance programs and look forward to matching this call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture with legislation.

"Today's executive orders also include new guidance for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to actually protect workers during the pandemic and a critical clarification that workers who refuse unsafe work conditions can still receive unemployment benefits. These steps will have real results as workers have spent months, often in unsafe work conditions, forced to choose between their paycheck and the health and safety of their families.

"As the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I am ready to meet these executive orders with Congressional action that puts working families first."