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H.R.798 / 118th Congress

Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 2, 2023

Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023

This bill addresses workplace conditions and safety with a particular focus on meat and poultry processing establishments and makes other changes to agricultural programs and activities.

Generally, the bill provides funding through FY2029 for hiring additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors and related activities. It also restricts an employer's use of certain attendance policies under which a worker is assessed points for absences with progressive discipline imposed as points accumulate.

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Additionally, the bill expands protections for workers who exercise their rights under occupational safety and health laws and regulations. This includes specific protections and procedures for workers of meat and poultry processing establishments.

The bill expands workplace safety and health requirements that apply to meat and poultry processing establishments, including by prohibiting waivers (subject to limited exceptions) related to line speeds and inspections. Additionally, OSHA must issue standards for these establishments that address, for example, ergonomic program management and preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19. OSHA must also (1) establish, within seven days, a process for establishments to report COVID-19 information; and (2) publish certain regulations regarding a workers' representative accompanying an OSHA inspector during inspections of an establishment.

The bill provides funding through FY2032 for, and imposes additional conditions on recipients of, grants to improve meat and poultry processing facilities. Further, the bill increases funding for a program that supports regional and local food systems. It also requires country-of-origin labeling of beef, pork, and dairy products.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] · D–CA

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Education and Workforce Committee
29 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Accountability, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Accountability, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Accountability, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Accountability, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  6. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Accountability, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jan 15, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.798 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.798 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.798 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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