U.S. congressman goes on ‘thirst strike’ for worker heat safety protections
Global News
Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat, spent the day on the steps of the U.S. Capitol refusing to eat, drink water or take breaks from the 30 C heat in Washington, D.C.
A U.S. congressman from Texas held a day-long “thirst strike” on Tuesday to push for federal safety standards for those working in extreme heat conditions — an issue that is becoming more prominent amid record-shattering temperatures.
Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat, spent the day on the steps of the U.S. Capitol refusing to eat, drink water or take breaks from the 30 degrees Celsius heat in Washington, D.C. He also held a vigil for workers who have died from heat-related illnesses while on the job.
The lawmaker, who was joined by several other Democrats throughout the day who pledged their support, said he would only break his strike “when nurses tell me to stop.”
“It’s challenging and it’s hot, but it’s not as hot as it is in Texas,” a sweating Casar told reporters hours into his strike.
Temperatures in Casar’s district, which includes parts of Austin and San Antonio, were expected to top 38 C (100 F) on Tuesday.
This summer has seen countries around the world, including the U.S. and Canada, continuously break heat records. Earlier this month saw the hottest recorded global temperature on back-to-back days, rising to an average 17.01 C on July 3 and then to 17.18 C on July 4 and 5.
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