Yesterday saw continued negotiations related to the administration’s request for legislation to provide additional funding for the small business Paycheck Protection Program. Below is a synopsis of today’s federal government actions in response to COVID-19.

Congress

As highlighted in yesterday’s update, the Senate is expected to vote as soon as tomorrow on legislation that would provide the small business Paycheck Protection Program an additional $250 billion in funding (bringing the total allocation to $600 billion)

• See the administration’s funding request here
• ​This morning, Senate Democratic Leader Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) issued a joint statement saying that the “interim emergency” PPP package should: (1) ensure that half of the $250 billion is “channeled through community-based financial institutions” targeting the underserved; and (2) provide $100 billion in additional funding for the health sector, $150 billion for state and local governments, and a 15 percent increase in SNAP (food assistance) benefits
• Congressional Republicans and the administration are pushing for a PPP-only bill, stating that the additional priorities outlined by Democrats are not needed immediately

Recent Congressional Letters

• Senators Cardin & Wyden Urge SBA to Ensure Equal Access to Paycheck Protection Program for ESOP-owned Small Businesses, April 8, 2020
• Senator Warner Leads Colleagues in Urging Action to Avoid Housing Finance System Crisis Amid COVID-19 Outbreak, April 8, 2020
• The Congressional Black Caucus Calls for Racial Data Reporting for COVID-19, April 8, 2020
• Senators Grassley, Klobuchar Urge Justice Department to take Action to Prevent Hoarding and Price Gouging During the Coronavirus Pandemic, April 8, 2020
• Schakowsky, Cicilline, Pallone & Nadler Introduce Bill to Protect Americans from Price Gouging During COVID-19 Health Crisis, April 8, 2020
• House Financial Services Committee Democrats Call on Regulators to Suspend Community Reinvestment Act and Other Rulemakings Unrelated to COVID-19, April 8, 2020

Agency Activity

Department of the Treasury

• Updated FAQs on Paycheck Protection Program Loans, April 8, 2020

Department of Labor

• U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers That They Cannot Retaliate Against Workers Reporting Unsafe Conditions During Coronavirus Pandemic, April 8, 2020

Health and Human Services

• HHS Statements on Authorizing Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests, April 8, 2020

Food and Drug Administration

• Guidance for Industry: Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma, April 8, 2020
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Warns Seller Marketing Dangerous Chlorine Dioxide Products that Claim to Treat or Prevent COVID-19, April 8, 2020
• FDA Approves First Generic of a Commonly Used Albuterol Inhaler to Treat and Prevent Bronchospasm, April 8, 2020
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Serological Tests, April 7, 2020

Federal Communications Commission

• Guidance on the COVID-19 Telehealth Program Application Process, April 8, 2020

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

• FERC, NARUC Support Utility Industry’s Needs for Credit Financing, April 7, 2020

Export-Import Bank

• EXIM Announces Joint Public Meeting of Advisory Committee, Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Response Efforts, April 8, 2020

State / Local Activity

Given the plethora of state and local actions, we recommend MultiState’s COVID-19 Policy Tracker as a comprehensive tool to monitor the response

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