Month: April 2020

Capitol Hill Recap

House and Senate lawmakers are distancing themselves from Capitol Hill amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Senate is scheduled to return on Monday, May 4, but the House will remain away from Washington amid health and safety concerns from the Attending Physician’s office. While the floor and Committee schedules for coming days and weeks have yet to be fully ironed out, leadership officials stated that Congress is likely to consider another round of COVID-19 legislation as they look to stem emerging and existing issues pertaining to the outbreak.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Special COVID-19 Edition (4/30)”

Capitol Hill Recap

House and Senate lawmakers are distancing themselves from Capitol Hill amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Senate is scheduled to return on Monday, May 4, but the House will remain away from Washington amid health and safety concerns from the Attending Physician’s office. While the floor and Committee schedules for coming days and weeks have yet to be fully ironed out, leadership officials stated that Congress is likely to consider another round of COVID-19 legislation as they look to stem emerging and existing issues pertaining to the outbreak.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Special COVID-19 Edition (4/29)”

Capitol Hill Update

Senators confirmed yesterday that they will return for legislative business next Monday, May 4, but House lawmakers have reversed course on their decision to return after consulting the Attending Physician’s office. While the floor and Committee schedules for coming days and weeks have yet to be fully ironed out, leadership officials stated that Congress is likely to consider another round of COVID-19 legislation as they look to stem emerging and existing issues pertaining to the outbreak. Despite their plans to continue distancing from Capitol Hill, House Democrats have indicated that work has already begun on their next response measure and will likely include: (1) more aid for state and local governments; (2) funding for unemployment insurance; (3) additional economic impact payments; and (4) provisions to address certain supply chain issues. However, it remains to be seen whether Senate Republicans coalesce around an aid package that omits their key legislative priorities — namely liability protections for business owners and employees and any actions needed to shore up the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Special COVID-19 Edition (4/28)”

Capitol Hill Update

After passage and enactment of the “Phase 3.5” measure last week, lawmakers have left Washington and are not expected to return until next week at the earliest. While leadership continues to deliberate whether it’s safe to return next Monday, officials formed a bipartisan working group to examine options for remote voting and virtual hearings moving forward should members need to extend their time away from Capitol Hill. TRP’s analysis on the state of play for remote voting in Congress can be read here.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Special COVID-19 Edition (4/27)”

Capitol Hill Update

House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed (388-5-1) the $483.4 billion Phase 3.5 bill yesterday, placing the bill on President Donald Trump’s desk for signature at some point today. The bill provides $310 billion to replenish the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that would allow it to resume lending as soon as Monday. The measure also allocates: (1) $75 billion for hospitals; (3) $25 billion to boost testing capacity; and (3) $60 billion for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. TRP’s instant, comprehensive analysis of the Phase 3.5 legislation can be read here.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: COVID ‘Phase 3.5’ Measure Ready for Trump’s Signature”

Capitol Hill Update

House lawmakers will convene for legislative business today to consider the $483.4 billion Phase 3.5 funding measure (updated text; small business summary; health care summary) that will bolster support for small businesses and address other pressing COVID-19 related needs. The bill provides $310 billion replenish the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — plus an additional $10 billion to cover certain administrative costs — as well as: (1) $75 billion for hospitals; (3) $25 billion to boost testing capacity; and (3) $60 billion for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Republicans are expected to object to unanimous consent passage in the lower chamber in favor of a roll call vote, but the measure is ultimately expected to pass with strong bipartisan support and be swiftly signed into law by President Donald Trump. TRP’s instant, comprehensive analysis of the Phase 3.5 legislation can be read here.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House to Pass COVID ‘Phase 3.5’ Agreement”

Capitol Hill Update

Yesterday afternoon, Senators passed a $483.4 billion funding measure (updated text; small business summary; health care summary) after officials struck a bipartisan agreement to bolster the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and address other pressing COVID-19 related needs. The bill provides $310 billion to the PPP — plus an additional $10 billion to cover certain administrative costs — as well as: (1) $75 billion for hospitals; (3) $25 billion to boost testing capacity; and (3) $60 billion for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Senate Passes COVID ‘Phase 3.5’ Agreement”

Capitol Hill Update

Officials are finalizing negotiations on an agreement for the next round of COVID-19 legislation after funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lapsed late last week. While lawmakers were hopeful that the Senate would clear the bill during yesterday’s pro forma session, talks on the “Phase 3.5” legislation extended into the late hours yesterday on key details pertaining to COVID-19 testing and final funding figures. As of now, the deal is expected to include a boost in funding for the PPP as well as additional funding to support health care providers and COVID-19 testing. However, more financial support for state and local governments, as well as a hike in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, appears to be off the table as of right now.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: ‘Phase 3.5’ Deal Imminent as Lawmakers Finalize Details”

Capitol Hill Update

Congressional leadership and White House officials are closing in on an agreement for the next round of COVID-19 legislation after funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lapsed late last week. Following days of tense negotiations and partisan messaging exercises, the deal is expected to include a boost in funding for the PPP with language that aims to offset Democratic concerns about access to the loan program for minority owned and disadvantaged small businesses. The two sides have also coalesced around additional funding for health care providers and COVID-19 testing. However, more financial support for state and local government, as well as a hike in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, appears to be off the table as of right now.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Lawmakers Look to Clinch Deal on COVID ‘Phase 3.5’”