Congress
Bipartisan negotiations on the next round of COVID-relief legislation continue, with leaders pointing to some progress over the last 24-48 hours. Administration officials have stressed the importance of reaching at least an agreement in principle on major issues by the end of the week. Just this evening, however, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the two sides remain trillions of dollars apart, putting even that Friday goal in doubt.
Press has report that the White House offered between $150-200 billion in funding for state and local governments (Democrats would like $1 trillion) as well as enhanced unemployment insurance benefits of $400 per week through mid-December (Democrats want $600 per week, stretching into early next year). Meanwhile, Republican Senators Romney (R-UT), Collins (R-ME), and McSally (R-AZ) today introduced a bill to extend currently expired pandemic unemployment insurance benefits through the end of the year, phasing in lower payments over time.
Earlier today, Senator Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) said the Senate would be back in session next week and “we’ll see what happens after that.” House votes aren’t scheduled for the remainder of the month, though Democratic leadership is prepared to call Members back with 24 hours’ notice if and when an agreement is reached.
Recent Congressional Statements / Letters
- Senator Cornyn Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Robust Funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loans in Next COVID Relief, August 5, 2020
- Senators Hassan, Braun, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Ensure Safety and Efficacy of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine, August 4, 2020
- Senators Menendez, Cassidy Lead Bipartisan Call for Congress to Provide State, Local Govt’s Battling Pandemic with Federal Assistance in Emergency COVID Relief Package, August 4, 2020
- Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Wyden Statement on Trump Trial Balloon on Executive Actions on Unemployment Benefits, Payroll Tax Cut, August 4, 2020
- Senators Young, Hassan Introduce AT HOME Act to Help Offset Remote Work Expenses, August 5, 2020
- Senators Warner, Smith Introduce Legislative Fix to COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Program that Excludes Millions of American Workers' Self-Employed Income, August 4, 2020
- Senator Brown, Colleagues Urge Congressional Leaders Negotiating The Next Coronavirus Relief Package To Ban Arbitration Clauses Attached to Needed Benefits
- Senators Stabenow, Murkowski Team Up to Reintroduce Bipartisan Food Supply Protection Act, August 5, 2020
- As Congress Negotiates COVID-19 Relief, Wyden and Merkley Call for Federal Support for Rural Economies, August 5, 2020
- Senators Hirono, Gillibrand, Smith, and Colleagues Introduce Impact Aid Infrastructure Act to Boost School Infrastructure, August 5, 2020
- Senator Cotton Introduces Amendment Blocking China From Receiving HEALS Act Funding, August 4, 2020
- House Committee Chairs Engel, Waters, Clyburn, Maloney, Green Launch Investigation into $765 Million Deal Between Trump Administration and Kodak, August 5, 2020
- House Energy and Commerce Committee Leaders Pallone & DeGette Demand Answers from Trump Administration on a National COVID-19 Vaccine Plan, August 5, 2020
- House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Neal Calls on Administrator Verma to Make COVID-19 Nursing Home Data More Reliable and Comprehensive, August 5, 2020
- House Budget Committee Chairman Yarmuth: “Enhanced Unemployment Insurance remains a vital lifeline for workers and families”, August 4, 2020
- Representative McEachin Urges House and Senate Leadership to Exclude Corporate Immunity from Future COVID-19 Relief Legislation, August 5, 2020
- House Education & Labor Committee Chairman Scott Statement on Federal Court Voiding Trump Administration Restrictions on Access to Emergency Paid Leave, August 4, 2020
- Representatives Nadler, Neal, Lofgren Call for Changes to Ease the Admission of Temporary Health Workers During the COVID-19 Emergency, August 4, 2020
- House Education & Labor Committee Democrats to DeVos: Stop Unlawfully Withholding Emergency Aid from Students, August 4, 2020
- Representative Phillips Proposes Tax Relief For Startups To Spur Innovation, August 5, 2020
- Representatives Olson, Fletcher Introduce Loan Interest Forgiveness for Taxpayers Under a Pandemic (LIFT UP) Act, August 4, 2020
- Representatives Golden, Kelly Lead 22 Members to Urge Inclusion of RESTART Act in COVID-19 Relief Package, August 4, 2020
- Representative Luetkemeyer Introduces Bill to Allow Financial Institutions Provide Flexibility and Forbearance to Customers, August 4, 2020
- Representatives Adams, DeFazio, Maloney, and Connolly Lead Effort to Save the Postal Service, August 5, 2020
- Representatives Latta, Johnson, Gonzalez Urge Clearer Guidance for Schools on Reopening During COVID-19, August 5, 2020
- Representatives David Trone, Max Rose Lead Bipartisan Group of 59 Members of Congress in Urging Congressional Leadership to Prioritize Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Treatment, and Medical Research in Next COVID-19 Package, August 5, 2020
- Representatives Costa, Rouzer, Peterson, Conaway Lead Letter to USDA Requesting Aid for Sheep, Lamb Producers, August 5, 2020
- House Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Bill to Ensure Federal Government Prepares for Resurgence of COVID-19, August 5, 2020
Other Stakeholder Statements / Letters
- NGA: Gov. Hogan Releases Federal Priorities to Promote Infrastructure as Economic Foundation, August 5, 2020
- U.S. Chamber Commends Senators Collins, McSally, and Romney’s New Legislation on Unemployment Benefits, August 5, 2020
- AICPA Joins Letter Urging Congress to Restore Tax Benefits to Main Street Businesses Intended by CARES Act, August 3, 2020
- Association to Congress: 55% of Restaurants not Eligible for new PPP loans with 50% Threshold, August 3, 2020
White House / Agency Activity
White House
Department of Treasury
Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Labor Offers Webinar for Employers, Employees On Pandemic’s Impacts on Immigrant Employment Regulations, August 5, 2020
- U.S. Department of Labor Offers Webinar on Paid Sick Leave, Workplace Safety and Other Employer, Employee Concerns Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, August 4, 2020
- U.S. Department of Labor Offers Webinar in Korean for Employers, Employees About Paid Sick Leave, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, August 4, 2020
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Agriculture
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Commerce
Federal Trade Commission
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.
