On Wednesday, March 10, the House passed the Senate-approved version of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, on a 220-211 vote (title-by-title summary available here). No Republicans supported the bill, and one...more
As the November elections rapidly approach, Congress faces a number of key legislative deadlines, including the need to fund federal agencies and extend expiring federal programs at the conclusion of the current fiscal year...more
9/15/2020
/ Biologics ,
CARES Act ,
China ,
Drug Pricing ,
EU ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Funding ,
Hazardous Substances ,
Health Care Providers ,
Hospitals ,
Lame Duck Session ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Medicare ,
Medicare Part B ,
Medicare Part D ,
OECD ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Pipelines ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Presidential Elections ,
Public Health ,
Reauthorization ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Secretary of HHS ,
Trade Policy ,
Trade Relations ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
With Introduction of HEALS Act, Bipartisan Negotiations on Phase 4 Begin in Earnest: An Analysis of the House and Senate Positions -
Senate Republicans on Monday unveiled their next COVID-19 response legislation in the...more
7/29/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Economic Downturn ,
Federal Funding ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Relief Measures ,
School Districts ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Virus Testing
The legislative calendar continues to march forward as members of Congress adapt to their new work environments and routines. With the House and Senate both in session this week, Senate Republicans plan to roll out their...more
7/22/2020
/ 5G Network ,
CARES Act ,
China ,
Comment Period ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Data Privacy ,
Emerging Technology Companies ,
EU ,
FCC ,
Filing Requirements ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Income Taxes ,
Medical Supplies ,
NDAA ,
PFAS ,
Public Comment ,
Supply Chain ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Planning ,
Telecommunications ,
Trade Policy ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
WTO
- Both chambers of Congress have passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
- The measure extends the Paycheck Protection Program loan...more
6/5/2020
/ Borrowers ,
Business Expenses ,
CARES Act ,
Loan Forgiveness ,
New Legislation ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (PPPFA) ,
Payroll Taxes ,
Safe Harbors ,
Small Business ,
Small Business Loans
The post-Memorial Day summer session has begun in Washington with the House and Senate facing a similar to-do list but with different approaches and philosophies. The main items on the summer agenda include the Phase 4...more
6/5/2020
/ Appropriation ,
CARES Act ,
Contact Tracing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Executive Orders ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) ,
Flood Insurance ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Loan Forgiveness ,
NDAA ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Works ,
Section 230 ,
Small Business ,
State and Local Government ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
WRDA
Senate Elevates Bipartisan Calls for Revisions to Paycheck Protection Program -
This week Senate Republicans and Democrats have underscored the need for a number of changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)...more
5/8/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Loan Forgiveness ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Small Business ,
U.S. Treasury
Federal Reserve Board Announces Expanded Scope and Eligibility for the Main Street Lending Program -
The Federal Reserve Board unveiled plans yesterday to expand the scope and eligibility for the Main Street Lending...more
5/1/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Data Privacy ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health and Safety ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Main Street Lending Programs ,
New Guidance ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Trump Administration ,
Unemployment Benefits
President Trump Unveils Framework for “Opening Up America Again” -
President Trump yesterday provided recommendations to governors for reopening parts of the U.S. economy. The guidance, dubbed “Opening Up America Again,”...more
4/17/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
Trump Administration ,
U.S. Treasury
Congress Fails to Reach Agreement on Additional Dollars for Small Business and Hospitals; Agencies Act to Provide CARES Act Funding to Key Sectors -
Congressional negotiators failed to reach agreement yesterday on adding...more
4/14/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Loans ,
Federal Reserve ,
Hospitals ,
Main Street Lending Programs ,
Relief Measures ,
Small Business ,
State and Local Government ,
U.S. Treasury
Congress, Administration Call for Additional Emergency Coronavirus Relief – Differences Remain -
In coordination with congressional Republican leadership (and with little advance notice to their Democratic counterparts),...more
4/13/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Economic Injury Disaster Loans ,
Federal Loans ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
SBA Lending Programs ,
Small Business ,
Trump Administration
Pelosi and McConnell Both Look to Bipartisan Phase 4 Legislation -
Congress now likely remains adjourned until April 20 for the safety of both members and congressional staff, but discussions have already begun on a Phase...more
4/9/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Energy Sector ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Interim Final Rules (IFR) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Oil & Gas ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Petroleum ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Small Business
Treasury Releases Details of Key CARES Act Loan Programs; Infrastructure Takes Center Stage in Phase 4 Relief Package -
Shortly after Phase 3 of the Coronavirus response concluded on Friday, March 27... the U.S....more
On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate released final text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (H.R. 748) to provide emergency economic assistance to those affected by the novel coronavirus...more
3/30/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Retention ,
Federal Taxes ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Income Taxes ,
IRS ,
Net Operating Losses ,
Payroll Taxes ,
Tax Code ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Deductions ,
Tax Relief
Early Wednesday morning, Senate and White House negotiators announced they had reached a deal on a $2 trillion Phase 3 economic stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic—the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic...more
President Trump Signs $2 Trillion Phase 3 Deal -
Today, President Trump signed a $2 trillion Phase 3 economic stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security...more
Senate Considers Phase 3, Aims for Passage As Soon As Possible -
With more states issuing orders for residents to stay at home and businesses to close, the Senate failed to agree to a procedural motion on Phase 3 of the...more
3/22/2020
/ Business Closures ,
CARES Act ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Defense Production Act ,
Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Department of Transportation (DOT) ,
Department of Veterans Affairs ,
Donald Trump ,
FEMA ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Medicare ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
SBA ,
Shelter-In-Place ,
SNAP Program ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
US Department of State
Senate Negotiates Phase 3, Aims for Passage by Monday -
Senate bipartisan working groups met well into the night on Friday and throughout the day on Saturday to negotiate Phase 3 of the Coronavirus response following Senate...more
3/21/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
FEMA ,
Minority-Owned Businesses ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Secretary of the Treasury ,
Small Business ,
U.S. Treasury