We cannot hope to learn from the lessons of this pandemic without the data to understand how to protect workers in the future.

I want to welcome everyone to the first hearing of the Work Force Protection Subcommittee and the 117th Congress.

We welcome the Biden administration's clearly Stated intention to act on that emergency authority.

These tragic losses are even more heartbreaking considering that until recently the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, was missing in action.

Today, we will discuss legislation introduced by Representative Courtney that requires OSHA to quickly issue a workplace violence prevention standard to protect health care and social service workers.

I want to express our condolences for your loss and appreciation for the critical work for which Miss Yap-Banago gave her life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed one of the most significant threats to worker's health and safety in a century.

Today, our witnesses will also discuss legislation, introduced by Representative Takano, that would allow OSHA to effectively enforce its injury and illness recordkeeping requirements.

Any discussion about protecting healthcare workers must also address the disproportionately high rates of violence that healthcare and social service workers face on the job.

These workers who are disproportionately low-income and people of color are risking their lives to keep our communities afloat.

The American Rescue Plan Act, H.R. 1319 passed by Congress yesterday sent to President Biden for his signature provides 200 million dollars to the Department of Labor for worker protection activities related to COVID-19.

Swift action to protect workers is exactly how the architects of the Occupational Safety and Health Act envision OSHA's response during a work-related crisis.