Texas Rep. Stages Thirst Strike Over Water Break Law

Facts

• On Tuesday, US Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) staged a thirst strike lasting nearly nine hours to protest workers' lack of federal heat protections, including water breaks.¹
• With temperatures in the mid-80s Fahrenheit at the US Capitol, Casar took his last drink of water at around 10:15 am. He then live-streamed the medical checkups he received before breaking the strike at around 7 pm.¹
• In addition to his strike, Casar joined more than 100 members of Congress in issuing a letter to the Biden administration urging the implementation of a standard of protection that will prevent workplace deaths caused by heat.²
• Casar has been among the most vocal objectors to Texas House Bill 2127. The bill limits Texas cities and counties from employment establishing standards that go beyond what is required under state law, which critics say includes denying water breaks to workers.³
• Texas cities Houston and Austin have sued the state over the bill, which is scheduled to take effect in September.⁴
• Currently, there are no federal or state statutes specifically designed to protect workers from extreme heat.³

Sources: ¹Roll Call, ²CBS, ³The Texas Tribune, and ⁴Reuters.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by FOX News. Casar could’ve devised something less futile than going just eight hours without a drink. Instead of performing theatrics on the Capitol steps with his extreme-left colleagues, he could’ve been inside the building legislating. This was an attention-seeking waste of time.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Accessibility to water breaks is a serious issue that needs addressing. Even if heatstroke doesn’t kill a worker, it can affect that person’s life well beyond the immediate illness. Casar’s actions were symbolic of a worker’s shift and, just as his past thirst strikes have worked to inspire action, hopefully this one will too.