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

Congress

Today, House leaders reversed plans to return to Washington on Monday – citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and the fact that their “CARES 2” relief package will not be ready for floor consideration

• Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Hoyer announced plans to further encourage remote work, beginning with virtual committee roundtables

• As announced yesterday, the Senate is still planning to reconvene on May 4th

Congressional leaders continue to discuss plans for the next phase of their COVID-19 response effort

• Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader McConnell expressed openness to a deal with Democrats on additional funding for state and local governments if Congress provides certain COVID-related liability protections for businesses – in response, Democratic leadership has expressed concerns about the effects that would have on safety protections for workers

Recent Congressional Statements / Letters

• Senate Small Business Committee Chairman Rubio Urges SBA and Treasury to Prioritize CDFI Funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, April 27, 2020

• Senate Democratic Leaders Urge Sen. McConnell To Make Senate’s Focus COVID-19 Related Matters, Including Oversight Of Admin’s Response & Recently Passed Legislation, April 28, 2020

• Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Murray: President Trump’s Testing Blueprint “Says Nothing New; Will Accomplish Nothing New,” April 27, 2020

• Klobuchar, Durbin, Fudge, Eshoo, 140 Colleagues Urge Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Coordinate With Other Federal Agencies to Inform Low-Income Families They Can Receive Broadband Services, April 28, 2020

• Senator Warren, Representative Ocasio-Cortez to Introduce Pandemic Anti-Monopoly Act, April 28, 2020

• Senator Warren, Representative Khanna Lead Letter to Congressional Leadership to Include Essential Workers Bill of Rights in Next Relief Package, signed by 50+ additional Members, April 28, 2020

• House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Velázquez on Status of Second Round PPP Loan Funding, April 28, 2020

• House Education and Labor Committee to Hold May 1 Virtual Forum to Discuss COVID-19 Response

Other Stakeholders Letters

• AFL-CIO President Calls on DOL to Do Its Job and Protect Workers, April 28, 2020

• American Hotel and Lodging Association: Hotels Require More PPP Loan Funding to Save Jobs, April 27, 2020

• U.S. Chamber Calls on President, State, and Local Officials to Coalesce on Consistent Health and Safety Guidance, Not Regulations, April 28, 2020

• American Hospitals and Health Systems, Businesses, Health Insurance Providers Unite to Ask Congress to Keep America Covered, April 28, 2020

White House / Agency Activity
White House

• President Trump is expected to issue an Executive Order invoking the Defense Production Act to ensure that meat processing plants remain open during the pandemic; the President has said he will also take action to provide liability protections to meatpacking companies; details on both forthcoming

Related:

• House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Scott Statement on President Trump Ordering Meat Processing Plants to Stay Open Despite Rising Worker Deaths

• United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW): Trump Order to Keep Meatpacking Plants Open Must Include Immediate Action to Strengthen Coronavirus Testing and Safety Measures

• Deregulation Sparks Dramatic Telehealth Increase During the COVID-19 Response, April 28, 2020

Internal Revenue Service

• Use IRS Non-Filers: Enter Payment Here tool to get Economic Impact Payment; many low-income, homeless qualify, April 28, 2020

Department of Health and Human Services

• Eligible Providers Can Submit Information to Receive Additional Provider Relief Fund Payments, April 28, 2020

Food and Drug Administration

• COVID-19 Update: Daily Roundup, April 28, 2020

Department of Education

• Secretary DeVos Reiterates Learning Must Continue for All Students, Declines to Seek Congressional Waivers to FAPE, LRE Requirements of IDEA, April 27, 2020

Department of State

• COVID-19 Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad, April 28, 2020

Securities and Exchange Commission

• SEC Charges Company and CEO for COVID-19 Scam, April 28, 2020

Federal Trade Commission

• “Thrive” Supplement Marketer Agrees to Preliminary Order Barring Him from Claiming It Can Treat, Prevent, or Reduce the Risks Associated with COVID-19, April 28, 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