Below, please find a summary of the federal government’s activities in response to COVID-19 since Monday’s update. Our next update will be published Friday, July 24
Congress
Senate Republicans and administration officials continue efforts to finalize their forthcoming COVID relief proposal, which is expected to total $1 trillion or more. The proposed legislation may be unveiled as soon as tonight, although a consensus has not yet been reached on some key issues.
On the Senate floor yesterday, Majority Leader McConnell laid out his priorities for the legislation, focused on “kids, jobs and healthcare.” McConnell highlighted: a second round of direct payments to families and individuals (though most expect lower income restrictions than the first round); more than $100 billion in funding for schools; additional health care funding, including for testing, treatments, and vaccine development; additional targeted funding for “hard hit” small businesses; incentives for employers to hire and retain workers; and liability protections. While the plan is not expected to include more funding for state and local governments, it is likely to provide them with additional spending flexibility.
Not yet resolved is how Republicans will address the expiring $600 per week enhanced unemployment benefit. While an extension of the benefit is expected, it is likely to be less than $600 per week and may include some additional program tweaks. The benefit is set to expire at the end of next week.
On the floor today, Senate Democratic Leader Schumer urged a vote on the House-passed Heroes Act and suggested that Republicans have stalled for months “while COVID-19 surged in more than 40 states.”
Recent Congressional Statements / Letters
- Senate HELP Chairman Alexander Proposes “No Income. No Monthly Payment.” For 43 Million Student Loan Borrowers, July 21, 2020
- Senate Health Chairman Alexander Introduces Bill to Prepare for the Next Pandemic, July 20, 2020
- Senator Cornyn Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Increased EIDL Loans and EIDL Advance Grants, July 21, 2020
- Senators Burr & Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Small Business Support Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, July 22, 2020
- Senator Ernst Introduces New Bill to Reward COVID-19 Front Line Workers, July 21, 2020
- Senator Menendez Introduces Bill to Ensure Homebuyers Can Access Mortgage Credit During Pandemic, Economic Crisis, July 22, 2020
- Senators Tillis and Gillibrand Urge Senate Leaders to Include Relief for Economic Development Organizations in Next COVID-19 Package, July 22, 2020
- Senator Portman Applauds Administration for Distributing $3 Billion in Additional Emergency COVID-19 Funds to Hospitals, July 22, 2020
- Senator Doug Jones Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Allow Rural Hospitals to Access Paycheck Protection Program, July 22, 2020
- Senator Warren Requests Information on CDC's Legal Authority to Stem the Surge in COVID-19 Cases in States and Localities, July 22, 2020
- Senator Brown, Colleagues Push for Significant New, Flexible Funding for State and Local Governments, July 22, 2020
- Senator Rick Scott: Congress Needs to Say “No” to Bailouts for Poorly-Managed States, July 21, 2020
- Senators Klobuchar, Hirono, 29 Senators Call on Trump Administration to Help Secure Access to PPE to Conduct November Election Safely During Pandemic, July 22, 2020
- Senators Capito, Graham, Rounds Introduce Bill to Move PPE Supply Chain from China to U.S., July 22, 2020
- Senators Cornyn, Klobuchar Introduce Relief Bill for Independent Live Music Venues During Pandemic, July 22, 2020
- House E&C Leaders Seek Answers on How the FTC & FDA Are Protecting Consumers from COVID-19 Antibody Test Scams, July 22, 2020
- House E&C Chair Pallone Remarks at Oversight Hearing on Developing a Safe, Effective and Accessible COVID-19 Vaccine, July 21, 2020
- House E&C Ranking Member Walden: COVID-19 Vaccine Must Be Accessible, July 21, 2020
- House Coronavirus Subcommittee Chair Clyburn Seeks Answers from Secretary Scalia on Labor Department Rules that Could Eliminate Paid Leave for Millions, July 21, 2020
- Representatives Fitzpatrick, Dean, Houlahan, Wild Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Local Communities in Need, July 21, 2020
- Representatives Spanberger, Johnson Lead Bipartisan Effort Calling on FCC to Strengthen Support for Telehealth Providers During Pandemic & Beyond, July 21, 2020
- Representative Vela Unveils Legislation to Create Compensation Fund for COVID-19 Victims, July 22, 2020
- Tri-Caucus Leaders Call on Congressional Leadership to Support Students of Color in Next COVID-19 Response, July 21, 2020
- Tri-Caucus Leaders Urge Senate Leaders to Include Child Care Assistance in Next COVID-19 Package, July 21, 2020
- Representative Van Drew Introduces Workforce Development Legislation In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, July 22, 2020
- Chairs DeFazio, Maloney Legislation to Provide Relief to Maritime Sector Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Passes Through House, July 21, 2020
- Representative Pappas Leads Call to Support America’s Trucking Industry, July 21, 2020
- Representatives LaHood, Panetta Introduce the PLUS Act to Support the Food and Beverage Industry, July 21, 2020
- Representatives Cartwright, McKinley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Mine Workers from COVID-19 Health Risks, July 22, 2020
- Representative Krishnamoorthi, Senators Bennet, Klobuchar, Durbin, Booker, Introduce Legislation To Help College Students Vote During Pandemic, July 21, 2020
Other Stakeholder Statements / Letters
- AHA, AMA and ANA urge congress to include additional $100 billion for emergency relief fund in COVID-19 relief package, July 22, 2020
- Testing Fund Stakeholder Letter, July 21, 2020
- NAM Files Suit Against Administration’s “Unlawful Restrictions” to Visas, July 22, 2020
- Hotel Industry, Reeling from COVID-19 Economic Fallout, Lays Out Priorities for COVID 4.0, July 21, 2020
- Retailers Ask Senators To Support Healthy Workplace Tax Credit, July 21, 2020
- Air Line Pilots Association Calls for Clean Extension of CARES Act Payroll Support Program, July 21, 2020
- Public Higher Ed Groups Urge Congress to Extend Coronavirus Response Tax Relief to Public Institutions, July 20, 2020
- National Health Organizations, Child Advocates Call on Congress to Provide At Least $200 Billion to Help Schools Reopen Safely, July 20, 2020
- AICPA Provides Congress with Six Recommendations for Next Phase of COVID-19 Relief Legislation, July 20, 2020
- Joint Statement on Policy Objectives for Reshoring and Safeguarding Domestic PPE Manufacturing, July 20, 2020
White House / Agency Activity
White House
Internal Revenue Service
Department of Labor
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
National Institutes of Health
Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Department of Agriculture
Department of Transportation
Federal Trade Commission
Federal Reserve
Federal Reserve Board To Maintain The Current Schedule Of Prices For Most Payment Services That The Federal Reserve Banks Provide To Depository Institutions In 2021, July 21, 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 respons
