Today's federal government activities in response to COVID-19 include:
Congress
Today, President Trump signed into law H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020 to modify the CARES Act’s signature small business lending program. As noted in our Thursday update, further program modifications are possible.
Meanwhile, in remarks regarding today’s better-than-expected jobs report, President Trump highlighted the administration’s plans to push for a payroll tax credit, incentives for restaurants and the entertainment industry, and additional stimulus money in the weeks ahead.
COVID-19-related Congressional hearings scheduled for next week include:
Senate
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A June 9 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine COVID-19 fraud, focusing on law enforcement's response to those exploiting the pandemic
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A June 9 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine wildfire management in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
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A June 9 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to examine the federal government's procurement and distribution strategies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
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A June 9 Senate Finance Committee hearing to examine unemployment insurance during COVID-19, focusing on The CARES Act
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A June 10 Senate HELP Committee hearing to examine COVID-19, focusing on going back to school safely
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A June 10 Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing to examine implementation of Title I of the CARES Act
House
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A June 9 House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Pollution and Pandemics: COVID-19s Disproportionate Impact on Environmental Justice Communities”
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A June 9 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled, “On the Front Lines: The Impacts of COVID-19 on Transportation Workers”
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A June 10 House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing entitled, “No Worker Left Behind: Supporting Essential Workers”
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A June 10 House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled, “The Rent Is Still Due: America's Renters, COVID-19 and an Unprecedented Eviction Crisis”
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A June 10 House Small Business Committee hearing entitled, “The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: A View from Main Street”
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A June 11 House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled, “Inclusive Banking During a Pandemic: Using FedAccounts and Digital Tools to Improve Delivery of Stimulus Payments”
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A June 11 House Administration Committee hearing entitled, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Voting Rights and Election Administration: Ensuring Safe and Fair Elections”
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A June 11 House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Indian Health Service Covid-19 Response”
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A June 11 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing entitled, “Assessing VA's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: 90 Days Later”
Recent Congressional Statements / Letters
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Senate Majority Leader McConnell: “Our Economic Comeback is Just Beginning,” June 5, 2020
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Senate Small Business Committee Chair Rubio Statement on Unemployment Numbers and Success of Paycheck Protection Program, June 5, 2020
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Senate Small Business Committee Ranking Member Cardin Floor Remarks on Status of COVID-19 Small Business Relief Programs, June 4, 2020
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Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Stabenow, Senators Raise Questions about the Trump Administration’s Food Box Program, June 5, 2020
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Senate Finance Ranking Member Wyden Statement on CBO Analysis of Supercharged Unemployment Benefits, June 4, 2020
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Senator HELP Committee Ranking Member Murray Urges Careful Preparation Before Colleges Reopen and Stresses Need to Address Inequities for Students Hit Hardest by the COVID-19 Crisis, June 4, 2020
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Senators Wicker, Stabenow Lead Bipartisan Push for Community Health Center Funding to Help American Families, June 5, 2020
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Senators Thune, Smith Introduce Bill to Allow Emergency Haying and Grazing on CRP Acres During COVID-19 Pandemic, June 5, 2020
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Senator Durbin Asks DOJ For Update On Price Gouging Activity During COVID-19 Pandemic, June 5, 2020
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House Majority Leader Hoyer: Collection of Demographic Data for COVID-19 Cases is Long Overdue, June 5, 2020
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House Ways and Means Committee Democrats: The Benefits of Extending Enhanced Unemployment Compensation, June 5, 2020
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House Ways and Means Ranking Member Brady: Return To Work Bonus Crucial For Economic Recovery, June 5, 2020
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House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Slam Trump Administration’s Actions to Undermine Bedrock Environmental Laws Under Guise of ‘Economic Emergency’, June 4, 2020
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House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Graves Commends President’s Executive Order to Cut Infrastructure Project Delays, June 4, 2020
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House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans: CDC Announces $140 Million for Flu Preparedness, June 5, 2020
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House Financial Services Committee Chair Waters Blasts Acting Comptroller Brooks’ Letter Pressuring State and Local Governments to End Measures to Combat COVID-19, June 4, 2020
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Representatives Nadler, Cicilline, Neguse and Members of the House Judiciary Committee Seek Answers from Trump Administration on its Apparent Exploitation of the COVID-19 Pandemic to Push a Reckless Deregulatory Agenda, June 5, 2020
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Representatives Kuster, Jeffries Introduce Legislation to Ensure U.S. is Prepared to Produce, Administer COVID-19 Vaccine Once Available, June 4, 2020
Other Stakeholder Statements / Letters
White House / Agency Activity
White House
Department of Labor
Food and Drug Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of State
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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.
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