Below, please find a summary of today’s federal government activities in response to COVID-19.

Congress

Today, news that the Trump administration would soon end federal support for COVID-19 testing centers drew criticism from Members of Congress – including Texas Senators Cornyn and Cruz, whose state is experiencing a surge in cases.

Also today, House Democrats unveiled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, which the chamber will vote on next Monday, June 29. In announcing the bill, Democratic leaders stressed the importance of affordable health care given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-related hearings continue tomorrow, with a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on reopening government workplaces; a House Financial Services Committee hearing on capital markets and emergency lending; and a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the COVID-19 nursing home crisis.

Recent Congressional Statements / Letters

• Senator Durbin, Representative Doggett Introduce Bill To Prevent Tax Dodging Corporation From Receiving COVID-19 Relief, June 24, 2020
• Senators Thune, Smith Introduce Bill to Ease Application Process for the Impact Aid Program During COVID-19 Pandemic, June 24, 2020
• Senators Rubio, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Care Workforce to Meet Nationwide Challenges, June 24, 2020
• Cornyn, Senate Colleagues Introduce Bill to Help Protect U.S. Energy Jobs, June 24, 2020
• Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Cut Energy Costs for Homeowners and Save Energy Efficiency Jobs, June 24, 2020
• Senators Warren and Brown Urge Regulators: Reverse Rule that Weakens Capital Requirements and Makes Banks More Vulnerable to Collapse During this Crisis, June 24, 2020
• Senator Schatz, Colleagues Urge Fed To Suspend Payments To Shareholders During Pandemic, Ensure Stability Of U.S. Financial System, June 24, 2020
• Senator Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call For Proactive Efforts To Counter Voter Suppression Amid Covid-19 Safety Measures, June 24, 2020
• Senator Tina Smith, Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester Introduce Plan to Make Public Facility Infrastructure Better Prepared for Public Health Emergencies, June 24, 2020
• Senator Peters Unveils New Report On Financial Impact Of Delayed Coronavirus Aid On Michigan & National Hospitals, June 23, 2020
• Representatives Pascrell, Porter Demand Greater Accountability of $175 Billion COVID Relief Fund, June 24, 2020
• Clyburn, Rural Broadband Task Force and House Democrats Introduce Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, June 24, 2020
• Representatives Stefanik, Moulton Introduce the Elevating America’s Workforce Act, June 24, 2020
• Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Representatives Pressley, García, Takano & Future of Transportation Caucus Members Lead Call for Bold Federal Investment in Transit Agencies, June 24, 2020
• Representative Hartzler Introduces Nonprofit Liability Protection Legislation, June 24, 2020
• Walker, Pappas Lead Bipartisan Legislation in the House Empowering Charitable Giving, June 24, 2020
• Representative Mullin Asks Administration to Continue Expanded Telehealth in COVID-19 Response, June 24, 2020
• Rep. Gonzalez: Lawmakers introduce bipartisan legislation to support U.S. research community during pandemic, June 24, 2020

Other Stakeholder Statements / Letters

• Conference of State Bank Supervisors: Why OCC Preemption Bulletins Do Not Impact State Covid-19 Relief Measures, June 24, 2020
• U.S. Chamber Commends the Department of Labor for Proposed Rule Providing Investor Protections, June 24, 2020
• NAM Launches ‘Wear a Face Covering’ Ad Campaign, June 23, 2020
• SEIU, ACLU, Disability Rights Organizations File Petition Demanding HHS Mitigate the COVID-19 Crisis in America’s Nursing Homes and Other Congregate Settings For People with Disabilities, June 23, 2020
• AHLA Commissioned Survey: 70% of Americans Support More Economic Stimulus To Help Reeling Travel Industry Recover, June 24, 2020
• Majority of Clients had Effective Plans to Navigate Economic Uncertainty Caused by COVID-19: Survey of CPA Financial Planners, June 24, 2020

Agency Activity

Department of the Treasury

• PPP Interim Final Rule on Additional Eligibility Revisions to First Interim Final Rule, June 24, 2020

Food and Drug Administration

• Joint Statement from USDA and FDA on Food Export Restrictions Pertaining to COVID-19, June 24, 2020
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup, June 23, 2020

National Institutes of Health

• Experts Identify Steps To Expand And Improve Antibody Tests In COVID-19 Response, June 23, 2020

Department of Housing and Urban Development

• HUD Awards Nearly $1 Million in CARES Act Funding to Nineteen State and Local Fair Housing Organizations to Support COVID-19 Related Activities, June 24, 2020

Federal Trade Commission

• FTC and SBA Warn Six Companies to Stop Potentially Misleading Marketing Aimed at Small Businesses Seeking Coronavirus Relief Loans, June 24, 2020

Federal Communications Commission

• Commissioner Rosenworcel Testimony Before Senate Commerce Committee, June 24, 2020
• Chairman Pai Testimony Before the Senate Commerce Committee, June 24, 2020
• Commissioner O'Rielly Testimony Before the Senate Commerce Committee, June 24, 2020
• FCC Approves Twelfth Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications, June 24, 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.