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Balanced Reporting. Trusted Insights.
Monday, April 07, 2025
The federal government is increasing its oversight of farms and other operations where workers are exposed to extreme heat, launching an enforcement initiative and encouraging employers to provide water, rest, and shade as needed to cope with high temperatures.
The Biden administration is requiring all federal employees and government contractors to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and will extend the mandate to companies with at least 100 employees.
The Biden administration has been filling positions relatively quickly at departments and agencies other than USDA that have regulatory authority over agriculture, while some of Donald Trump’s nominees to similar positions ran into troubles during the confirmation process.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow says she’s “very optimistic” that substantial new funding for farm bill conservation programs will be included in the $3.5 trillion spending agreement that Democrats have announced. Stabenow has been seeking $50 billion in new conservation funding to promote climate-friendly farming practices.
President Biden is expected to sign his executive order today addressing concentration in agribusiness, transportation and other sectors. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to promote the White House initiative.
Senate Democrats are pushing ahead with a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, even as 10 Republican senators push President Joe Biden to agree to a scaled back version that could get bipartisan support.
House Democrats have launched an investigation into coronavirus outbreaks in meat processing plants and the Trump administration’s alleged failure to adequately protect workers.
Responding to an executive order issued by the Biden administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued guidance for companies to help stop the spread of COVID at workplaces and said it was looking at setting an emergency standard for COVID-19.
Joe Biden called for the federal government to set enforceable standards for protecting workers from COVID-19 Wednesday as he proposed guaranteeing all workers access to testing and personal protective equipment.
