For the last few weeks, Kelley Drye’s Government Relations and Public Policy team has been tracking COVID-19-related developments out of Congress, the White House and related federal agencies. In an effort to keep our clients updated, we will be posting this daily COVID-19 Washington Update, which will include the most recent developments from around the federal government. This is a snapshot of where things stand now, but the situation remains incredibly fluid.
Congress
- The House – having passed a revised second response package (more below) – is in recess, but will be called back with 24 hours’ notice when votes are necessary on additional packages
- The Senate remains in session, working on passing the second response package as well as a third (or, alternatively, one bill covering both)
- Most committees have cancelled hearings and business meetings for the remainder of the month
- Future schedules remain uncertain, but an extended Congressional recess is possible after the response packages being developed are enacted
Legislative Packages
- Coronavirus Supplemental
- Signed into law on March 6 (PL 116-123)
- Text available here; House Appropriations Committee summary here
- Highlights: $8.3 billion package funding vaccine development, support for state and local governments, assistance for affected small businesses, and waiver of certain Medicare telehealth restrictions during the coronavirus emergency
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Passed by House on March 14; “technical corrections” adopted by House on March 16; pending before Senate
- Senate could pass the measures as soon as today
- Text available here; House Appropriations Committee summary here; House summary of paid leave provisions available here
- Highlights: Provisions instituting free coronavirus testing, establishing paid leave, enhancing Unemployment Insurance, expanding food security initiatives, and increasing federal Medicaid funding
- Please see Kelley Drye advisory here and Wall Street Journal article on technical corrections package here
- Economic Stimulus
- Negotiations between Congress and the administration are ongoing, but all indications point to a substantial (likely in excess of $1 trillion) economic package; expect Congress to move quickly in the coming days
- Under consideration:
- Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said today they are considering payments to small businesses; loan guarantees to certain industries (e.g., airlines, hospitality); and direct “business interruption payments” to low- and middle-income Americans immediately (i.e., in the next few weeks)
- Senate Democratic Leader Schumer (D-NY) is also developing a package in the range of $750 billion, with – among other things – additional emergency aid for hospitals, funding for small businesses, “worker first” provisions for industry rescue packages, and investments in a variety of safety net programs (e.g., childcare, housing, Unemployment Insurance, SNAP) and infrastructure; see his memo here
- See House Speaker Pelosi’s (D-CA) statement on the need to expand emergency leave provisions here
- The administration continues to express support for a payroll tax holiday through the end of the year
- Federal investments in large scale public works infrastructure projects are possible to help jumpstart the economy
- Tariff relief has also been raised by some Members
- Continued interest in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly as they relate to healthcare
Administration Activities of Note
White House Schedule (March 17, 2020)
- Coronavirus Task Force press briefing – 10:30AM ET
- Call with restaurant executives – 9:30AM ET
- Meeting with tourism industry executives – 2:00PM ET
- Call with supply retailers and wholesalers – 3:30PM ET
Treasury Department
Small Business Administration
Health and Human Services
Department of Transportation
Department of Energy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[View source.]
