FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

Rep. Crawford Introduces Legislation Prioritizing Transportation Workers for PPE and Vaccines

5/7/2021

Washington — Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) introduced the Critical Infrastructure Employee Protection Act alongside two of his colleagues, Representative David Rouzer (NC-07) and Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09). This bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Transportation to apply the categorization of “essential critical infrastructure workers” as identified by the Department of Homeland Security to all transportation and infrastructure workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This ensures infrastructure workers have priority access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) so they can continue their hard work that keeps America running. It also creates a precedent, mandating the DOT reconsider this classification in the event of any future public health crisis. 

“Our infrastructure workers have been essential at keeping our economy moving while also distributing vital health supplies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to be a threat, Congress should protect those most at risk including essential workers. We need to ensure that these workers can resume their jobs to keep supply chains intact during such a critical time, and that they never face the obstacles of this year again,” said Rep. Crawford (AR-01).

“We must ensure that protections are in place for our frontline transit workers, who have continued delivering essential goods and providing essential services, while putting their own lives at risk. I am pleased to re-introduce the Critical Infrastructure Employee Protection Act with Congressman Crawford. It will both help ensure these critical infrastructure workers have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing as we work to end this pandemic and ensure these protections are in place in any pandemic that may occur in the future,” said Rep. Cohen (TN-09).