Democratic Rep. Greg Casar of Texas took to the Capitol steps in a unique way to champion workers’ rights – he conducted a thirst strike. His goal? To catch President Joe Biden’s attention and push for a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard that includes heat protection and water breaks for workers. He spent over 8 hours, rain or shine, without water or breaks, stating there are no federal protections currently for heat-exposed workers. The response online was a mixture of support and mockery, with some seeing it as grandstanding, while others admired his dedication. After more than 8 hours, Casar ended his strike. His unique approach to advocacy raises questions about the effectiveness of such dramatic measures in effecting policy change.
