March 11, 2021

Congressman Castro And Texas Colleagues Urge Gov. Abbott to Prioritize Agricultural Workers for COVID Vaccine Eligibility

WASHINTON — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and six of his colleagues in the Texas Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott urging him to expand vaccine eligibility to farmworkers, meatpackers, and other agricultural workers in line with CDC recommendations. Texas is one of only a few states that have excluded such workers from Tier 1B of its vaccination rollout.

“Throughout the pandemic, the agricultural workers in Texas’ fields, ranches, farms, dairies, and packing houses have risked COVID-19 to keep America fed”, said Congressman Castro. “Now, with Governor Abbott’s reckless decision to lift mask-mandates and end public health guidance in effect, it is more crucial than ever that we ensure the essential agricultural workers who have no choice but to go to work receive the protection they need to keep Texas and America fed. Expanding vaccine eligibility to all agricultural workers will also help address the stark disparities in Texas’ vaccine rollout, ensuring that more vaccines will reach the rural, low-income, and Latino communities that have been among the hardest hit communities in Texas.”

Joining Congressman Castro in signing the letter to Texas Governor Abbott were Representatives Filemon Vela, Veronica Escobar, Marc Veasey, Vicente Gonzalez, Al Green, and Sylvia Garcia. 

The full letter can be viewed here.

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