S. 4995
Introduced in Senate · July 22, 2026July 15, 2026
Mr. Welch (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To provide for the protection of agricultural workers, and for other purposes.
1. Short title; 2. Table of contents; TITLE I—FAIR USDA PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING; 101. Definitions; 102. Food worker pay increase; 103. Prohibition on stock buybacks while receiving USDA funds; 104. Promotion of economic security and workplace accountability; 105. Waiver to purchase foreign commodities or products; 106. Authorization of local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement program; 107. Report regarding grant recipients; TITLE II—PROTECTING AMERICA’S MEATPACKING WORKERS; 201. Findings; 202. Definitions; PART I—DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; 211. Rule on increased line speeds at meat and poultry establishments; PART II—FAIR ATTENDANCE POLICIES; 221. Definitions; 222. Requirements for employers relating to no fault attendance policies or attendance systems; 223. Remedies and enforcement; 224. Rulemaking; 225. Relationship to other laws; PART III—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION REFORMS; 231. Definitions; 232. Ensuring compliance with employee rights to use toilet facilities at covered establishments; 233. Occupational safety and health standards to protect employees in covered establishments; 234. Permanent regional emphasis inspection program; expanding inspections; 235. Representatives during physical inspections; 236. Enhanced protections from retaliation; 237. Regulations to restore a column on required records of work-related musculoskeletal disorders; 238. Funding for additional OSHA inspectors; 239. OSHA reporting; 240. Private right of action; 241. Injunction proceedings; PART IV—SAVINGS PROVISION; 251. Savings provision; 261. Review and report on racial and ethnic disparities in meat and poultry processing