On the recordJuly 27, 2020
A strong, reliable food supply chain is important 365 days a year. But COVID-19 has underscored just how much we rely on this essential industry in times of crisis. The men and women who work to provide our Nation with the food, fiber, and energy that we depend on each and every day are among the unsung heroes in this crisis. In April, I introduced the GROCER Act to establish a Federal tax holiday for our grocery store and convenience store employees from February 15, 2020, to June 15, 2020. The bill benefits individuals making less than $75,000 a year and gives the Treasury Secretary the discretion to extend this benefit for an additional 3 months. To build on the support for the GROCER Act, Congressman Dwight Evans and I introduced the AG CHAIN Act. The AG CHAIN Act extends the GROCER Act to the entire food supply chain defined by recent Department of Homeland Security guidance. That includes our farmers, ranchers, meatpackers, distributors, and more. It also builds on the GROCER Act to include a payroll tax exemption in addition to the Federal tax holiday. Supporting our essential workers in the food supply chain is something that Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in-between can get behind. A recent poll showed support from the public as well. According to the Morning Consult, 90 percent of voters consider agricultural and food production workers essential, and 93 percent consider grocery store workers and convenience store workers essential.…
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