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Senate Judiciary Committee holds employer liability hearing
The Senate Judiciary Committee discussed the issue of employer liability Tuesday as the U.S. begins to reopen.
Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, opened the hearing by saying COVID-19 is a threat to both the economy and public health.
“And that’s the balance we’ll be trying to achieve here is to provide liability protections in a reasoned fashion, not giving a pass to the bad actor. And hopefully we can rise to the occasion.”
California Democrat Dianne Feinstein, the Senate Judiciary Ranking Member, expressed concern for frontline workers like meatpackers.
“I’m told that there are more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases linked to meatpacking plants, and at least 45 meatpacking workers have died.”
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union president Marc Perrone testified, saying America’s food workers are risking their health and safety every day.
“If these workers are essential, as every elected official has said up to the President of the United States, then this nation must provide them with essential protections.”
Perrone says the Union rejects employer immunity that Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell has called for in the next coronavirus relief package.
