Today’s federal government activities in response to COVID-19 includes:

Congress

House Democrats may unveil their CARES 2.0 relief legislation in the comings days, with a vote possible late next week – although the timing remains uncertain. Speaker Pelosi has described the forthcoming proposal as “a starting point for negotiations” with Congressional Republicans and the administration.

In a press interview yesterday, Senate Majority Leader McConnell suggested another rescue package was possible, but that Congress needs to be “more measured.” He also reiterated that “if there is another rescue package, it must include and will include liability protections related narrowly to the coronavirus pandemic.”

This afternoon, President Trump met with House Republican Leader McCarthy and Congressional Republicans at the White House.

Also today, House Majority Leader Hoyer unveiled a new website providing details on COVID-19-related efforts by House Committees.

Recent Congressional Statements / Letters

• Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley: Following Bipartisan Request, Treasury Modifies Employee Retention Tax Credit Eligibility for Employers Providing Health Benefits for Furloughed Employees, May 7, 2020

• Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley: Treasury to Modify Guidance for Energy Production, Investment Tax Credits in Light of Health Crisis Slowdowns, May 7, 2020

• Senators Wyden, Brown, Schatz, Casey Announce Legislation to Provide Emergency Cash Assistance to Low-Income Families and Individuals, May 8, 2020

• Senators Harris, Sanders, Markey Introduce Bill to Provide Monthly $2,000 Payments During the COVID-19 Crisis, May 8, 2020

• Warren, Pressley, Sanders, & Over 135 Colleagues Seek Additional Funding for Community Health Centers in Upcoming COVID-19 Stimulus Packages, May 8, 2020

• Senators Warren and Murray Urge FDA to Monitor Potential COVID-19 Medical Products to Ensure the Health and Safety of Americans, May 8, 2020

• Senators Murphy, Baldwin Lead Call Urging Trump Administration to Cover COVID-19 Related Medical Expenses for Those Enrolled in Junk Plans, May 8, 2020

• Senators Alexander, Warner Introduce Legislation to Help Rural Hospitals, May 8, 2020

• Senators Capito, Manchin Introduce Bill to Support Broadband Expansion Projects, May 7, 2020

• Waters, Heck and Brown Introduce Legislation to Provide Emergency Rental Assistance During COVID-19 Crisis, May 8, 2020

• Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Neal Calls on HHS to Address Unanswered Concerns, May 8, 2020

• Rep. Murphy-led Group of Bipartisan Members Introduce Legislation to Reduce Layoffs by Expanding Employee Retention Tax Credit, May 8, 2020

• House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member McHenry Pushes for Regulatory Relief to Ensure Economic Recovery from COVID-19, May 8, 2020

• House Ag Subcommittee Chairs Fudge, Costa, Plaskett Introduce Legislation to Better Connect Farmers, Food Banks, May 8, 2020

• House T&I Committee Hosts Bipartisan Virtual Forum on the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Maritime Transportation, May 8, 2020

• In First Official Action, House Coronavirus Panel Demands That Large Public Corporations Return Taxpayer Funds Intended for Small Businesses, May 8, 2020

• Congressmen Panetta, Beyer Release Proposal to Improve the Paycheck Protection Program, May 7, 2020

• ICYMI: Senators Young, Bennet Announce Major New Proposals to Support Hardest-Hit Small and Mid-Sized Businesses, May 5, 2020

Other Stakeholder Letters

• National Restaurant Association: Restaurant Employment Falls to Lowest Level Since 1989, May 8, 2020

• American Institute of CPAs: Modernizing Tax Provisions to Reflect the Economic and Technological Environment in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, May 7, 2020

Agency Activity

Department of the Treasury

• Treasury, IRS Deliver Economic Impact Payments to 130 Million Americans in Record Time, May 8, 2020

• USTR and Treasury Statement on Call With China, May 7, 2020

Department of Labor

• BLS: Nonfarm payroll employment falls 20.5 million in April; unemployment rate rises to 14.7%, May 8, 2020

• Updated BLS COVID-19 Questions and Answers, May 7, 2020

Small Business Administration

• See SBA’s Latest Daily Update on PPP Data here

Department of Health and Human Services

• FAQs–Application of OIG's Administrative Enforcement Authorities to Arrangements Directly Connected to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, Updated May 8, 2020

Food and Drug Administration

• FDA Authorizes First Diagnostic Test Using At-Home Collection of Saliva Specimens, May 8, 2020

Department of Housing and Urban Development

• HUD Awards More than $12 Million to Public Housing Authorities to Help Tenants Relocate, May 8, 2020

Department of Agriculture

• America’s Meatpacking Facilities Practicing Safe Reopening to Ensure a Stable Food Supply, May 8, 2020

Department of Transportation

• PHMSA-FMCSA Enforcement Discretion Notice for Cargo Tank Motor Vehicles and Portable Tanks in the State of Alaska, May 8, 2020

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

• USPTO announces COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program for small and micro entities, May 8, 2020

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

• FERC Provides Accounting Guidance to Ease Administrative Burdens; Shortens Comment Period for Federal Power Act Section 204 Filings, May 7, 2020

Federal Reserve

Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act: Main Street Priority Loan Facility, May 8, 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

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