Following is a synopsis of today’s federal government actions in response to COVID-19.

Congress
There were few developments in Congress today following yesterday’s stalemate on an “interim emergency” relief package (see Thursday’s update for more), although negotiations are expected and we could see a bipartisan agreement next week

• Schumer Statement On Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief Legislation, April 10, 2020

• Speaker Pelosi: Critical Small Business Needs Ignored in McConnell Bill, April 10, 2020

Recent Congressional Statements / Letters

• Brown, Schatz, Warren Urge Fed To End Capital Distributions Like Stock Buybacks, Dividends, And Executive Bonuses, April 10, 2020

• Waters and Velázquez Write to Megabank CEOs to Express Strong Concerns About Small Business Access to Paycheck Protection Program, April 10, 2020

• Rubio Releases Update on the Paycheck Protection Program: Improvements Every Day, April 9, 2020

• Peters, Hassan, Murphy & Kaine Lead Colleagues in Pressing Administration for Information on Distribution of Critical Medical Supplies, Personal Protective Equipment, April 10, 2020

• Hoyer Sends Letter to the National Governors Association Urging Collection of Demographic Data on Racial Disparities and Coronavirus, April 10, 2020

• Cantwell, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Indefinitely Extend Public Comment Periods, Pause Unrelated Federal Rulemakings During COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency, April 9, 2020

• Grassley Questions World Health Organization Response to Coronavirus Pandemic and its Political Independence from China, April 10, 2020

Agency Activity

Department of the Treasury

• Treasury, IRS Launch Online Tool to Help Non-Filers Receive Economic Impact Payments, April 10, 2020
  Related: Chairman Neal Applauds Free File Alliance for Helping Non-Filers Access CARES Act Rebate, April 10, 2020

Health and Human Services

• HHS to Begin Immediate Delivery of Initial $30 Billion of CARES Act Provider Relief Funding, April 10, 2020

Food and Drug Administration

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Issues Second Emergency Use Authorization to Decontaminate N95 Respirators, April 10, 2020

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Blood Purification Device to Treat COVID-19, April 10, 2020

• Temporary Policy Regarding Non-Standard PPE Practices for Sterile Compounding by Pharmacy Compounders not Registered as Outsourcing Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Guidance for Industry, April 10, 2020

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup April 9, 2020

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

• Trump Administration Acts to Ensure U.S. Healthcare Facilities Can Maximize Frontline Workforces to Confront COVID-19 Crisis, April 9, 2020

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• CDC Announces Modifications and Extension of No Sail Order for All Cruise Ships, April 9, 2020

Department of Transportation

• U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $1 Billion for Amtrak in Response to COVID-19, April 10, 2020

Department of Defense

• DOD Allows Payments to Contractors Who Cannot Work Due to COVID-19 Facility Closures or Other Restrictions, April 9, 2020; see memo here and FAQ here

Federal Communications Commission

• FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program Application Portal Opens on Monday, April 10, 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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