by Raul Santa | Apr 22, 2020 | DC Updates
White House COVID-19 Updates
4/20/20 White House Briefing (Highlights below)
President Trump’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again (HERE) (Español)
COVID-19 Updates and Resources
www.coronavirus.gov (Español)
CDC YouTube Pages (VIDEOS)
#COVID-19
#COVID-19 en Español
Twitter
The White House- @WhiteHouse
La Casa Blanca- @LaCasaBlanca (VIDEO)
FEMA en Español @FEMAespanol
CDC en Español- @CDCespanol
IRS News- @IRSnews
IRS en Español- @IRSenEspanol
White House COVID-19 Updates
4/18/20 White House Briefing (VIDEO and Highlights below)
President Trump’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again (HERE)
COVID-19 Updates and Resources
www.coronavirus.gov (Español)
CDC YouTube page: #COVID-19 and #COVID-19 en Español (NEW VIDEOS)
Twitter: @CDCespanol (VIDEO)
by Raul Santa | Apr 22, 2020 | DC Updates
WASHINGTON UPDATE SPECIAL EDITION – April 21, 2020
The Senate on Tuesday approved roughly $484 billion in new coronavirus aid for small businesses and hospitals and more funding for testing, ending a lengthy battle over the size and contents of the package.
The agreement was passed by a voice vote after days of negotiations between congressional Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, with the talks lasting until approximately midnight on both Sunday and Monday.
The deal includes an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including $60 billion specifically for community banks and smaller lenders, as well as $75 billion for hospitals, $25 billion for testing, and $60 billion for emergency disaster loans and grants. Lawmakers are under pressure to act quickly as the coronavirus decimates large sectors of the economy where businesses have either scaled back or closed altogether.
Forty-three percent of respondents to a Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday said they have had their wages cut or lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate’s passage came only hours after a senior administration official confirmed the agreement had been reached and less than two hours after text of the bill began to circulate as leadership tried to “hotline” the deal to find out if it could pass it by consent, which would allow it to avoid bringing back members amid health concerns sparked by the coronavirus.
The House is expected to pass the bill on Thursday morning, with members returning to Washington for a recorded vote. President Trump threw his support behind the deal on Tuesday, an endorsement that could help the agreement avoid landmines from libertarian-minded lawmakers and fiscal conservatives.
“I urge the Senate and House to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act with additional funding for PPP, Hospitals, and Testing,” Trump tweeted.
He added that once the bill is signed, he will start discussions on the “phase four” coronavirus bill, including more help for states and local governments, infrastructure, “tax incentives” and a payroll tax cut. Both chambers are expected to be out of Washington until at least May 4.
Congress faced calls to quickly replenish the PPP funds after the initial $349 billion appropriated during last month’s $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package ran out late last week amid high levels of interest from independent contractors and businesses that have been hit hard by the coronavirus.
The agreement provides $310 billion for the program as well as an additional $10 billion for administrative costs and fees.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Democrats initially tried to pass their own dueling proposals nearly two weeks ago, but both were blocked. McConnell was offering an additional $250 billion for the small-business aid program, while Democrats wanted to add an additional $100 billion for hospitals, $150 billion for state and local governments, and a boost in food stamp assistance.
McConnell took a victory lap on Tuesday, arguing that Democrats had dropped “a number of their unrelated demands” during the negotiations.
“Democratic leaders blocked the money and spent days trying to negotiate extraneous issues that were never on the table. I am grateful our colleagues have walked away from those demands and will finally let Congress act,” he said in a statement.
But Democrats argued that hospitals, many of which have seen a drop in revenue as they’ve sidelined elective surgeries, and states needed additional funding. They also wanted to reform the Paycheck Protection Program to earmark funding specifically for smaller lenders.
The rollout of the small-business program was beset by mishaps, including an overwhelmed Small Business Administration system, banks adding additional regulations to the applications and confusion about who was eligible for the funding, which was meant to provide loans and grants to businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
Lawmakers have fumed this week amid reports that chain restaurants were able to get tens of millions in loans under the program. Shake Shack, which received a $10 million loan, announced that it would return the funding amid the backlash.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who chairs the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, pledged that he would subpoena uncooperative companies as part of oversight he’ll do later this year.
“This fall, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will conduct aggressive oversight into the use of the PPP. If companies are not forthcoming, the Committee will use its subpoena power to compel cooperation,” Rubio said.
Democrats also homed in on getting more money for testing. Public health experts warn that ramped up, widely available testing is crucial before social distancing restrictions, put in place to try to curb the spread of the virus, are lifted.
Democrats offered their own plan to provide $30 billion for testing and the creation of a nationwide strategy.
The deal passed by the Senate includes $25 billion to “research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity” for tests.
It also requires states to come up with a plan for how to test for and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus as well as a national strategy from the administration on assisting states.
by Raul Santa | Apr 13, 2020 | DC Updates
Update on Administration COVID-19 Efforts
Video
Today’s White House Briefing
The President’s Good Friday and Easter Blessing
The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
30 Days to Slow the Spread (PDF)
30 Días Para Desacelerar la Propagación (PDF)
For more updates, visit www.coronavirus.gov (Español)
Assistance for American Workers and Families
Economic Impact Payments: What You Need to Know (Español)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Assistance for Small Businesses: SBA.gov/coronavirus (Español)
Paycheck Protection Program: SBA.gov/PayCheckProtection
Find an eligible lender (HERE)
Department of Treasury
COVID-19 Actions and Updates: Treasury.gov/cares
Department of Labor (DOL)
Paid Leave (HERE)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (Español)
Unemployment Insurance (HERE)
New OSHA Poster Aimed at Reducing Workplace Exposure to the Coronavirus (Español)
Guidance on Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for Self-Employed Workers, Independent Contractors and Gig Workers (HERE)
Twitter
@WhiteHouse
@LaCasaBlanca (VIDEO)
@FEMAespanol
@CDCespanol
Additional Spanish resources
Pagina web de enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
Cómo protegerse
Qué hacer si está enfermo
Síntomas
Personas que necesitan tomar precauciones adicionales
Si está enfermo
Tome Medidas para Prevenir la Exposición de los Trabajadores al Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Control de rumores del coronavirus
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Orientación y recursos de préstamos para pequeñas empresas
How to Help
Help the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 (HERE)
Video
Surgeon General Shows How to Make Your Own Face Covering
Follow On Twitter
Surgeon General Jerome Adams: @Surgeon_General
Administrator Jovita Carranza: @SBAJovita
U.S. Department of Treasury: @USTreasury
U.S. Department of Labor: @USDOL
The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
30 Days to Slow the Spread (PDF)
30 Días Para Desacelerar la Propagación (PDF)
For the most up-to-date information, please see the CDC’s website: www.coronavirus.gov (Español)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Paycheck Protection Program: SBA.gov/PayCheckProtection
Assistance for Small Businesses: SBA.gov/coronavirus (Español)
Treasury
COVID-19 Actions and Updates: Treasury.gov/cares
Treasury and Federal Reserve Board Announce New and Expanded Lending Programs to Provide up to $2.3 Trillion in Financing (HERE)
Department of Labor (DOL)
Paid Leave (HERE) and Unemployment Insurance (HERE)
Guidance on Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for Self-Employed Workers, Independent Contractors and Gig Workers (HERE)
by Raul Santa | Apr 2, 2020 | DC Updates
ICYMI: President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force 4/4/20 Press Briefing (VIDEO and Highlights below)
30 Days to Slow the Spread Guidelines for America and Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
U.S. Department of Labor’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Q&A
Assistance for American Workers and Families: Economic Impact Payments: What You Need to Know (Español)
Assistance for Small Businesses: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
Treasury released additional guidance regarding the Paycheck Payroll Program.
SBA released additional guidance regarding participation of faith-based organizations in the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs.
For additional updates, visit: Treasury.gov/cares and SBA.gov/PayCheckProtection
Coronavirus Guidelines for America (English/Spanish)
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) FAQ’s
U.S. Department of Labor’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Q&A
Treasury’s CARES Act website: https://home.treasury.gov/cares
Assistance for American Workers and Families: Economic Impact Payments: What You Need to Know (Español)
Assistance for Small Businesses: Paycheck Protection Program
White House COVID-19 Updates
- ICYMI: President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force 4/1/20 Press Briefing (VIDEO and Highlights below)
- Coronavirus Guidelines for America (English and Spanish)
- 1600 Daily: A Million American Lives Are Worth Fighting For (HERE)
Additional Updates
COVID-19: Background & Additional Information
For background and the most up-to-date information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019 website: HERE
Spanish Resources:
Twitter
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
What you should know:
Situation Updates:
Information for Businesses:
Information for Travel and Transportation:
Information for Healthcare Providers, First Responders, and Research Facilities:
Information for Law Enforcement:
Information for Families and Households:
Information for Schools, Childcare Providers, and Students:
Information for Community Events and Gatherings:
Agency Resources and Information:
by Raul Santa | Mar 29, 2020 | DC Updates
Washington Update Special Edition – March 28
There are two new SBA loans for eligible nonprofits who are struggling as a result of Coronavirus.
The first are Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide up to $2 million in low interest loans to small businesses that can be repaid over as long as 30 years. These loans were funded in the first round of supplemental funding that was enacted two weeks ago and are up and running. Another $10 billion was allocated for EIDL’s in the third funding package that Congress will enact on Friday. Just for applying, you are able to receive $10,000 as a grant that does not need to be repaid, even if you are eventually turned down for the loan.
The second type of small business loan is the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created in this new round of funding to provide immediate assistance to businesses with up to 500 employees. There is $350 billion allotted for this loan program and it can be used for payroll, rent, mortgage, the things needed to keep the doors open for the next few months until coronavirus passes. If you keep your workforce intact over the next few months, the spending on these items becomes a grant that you do not need to repay. The loans can be up to $10 million in total and obtained at local financial institutions and fully guaranteed by SBA. There should be guidance out on this new program in the next week.
Lastly, if a member already has a relationship with SBA, it can get a SBA Express bridge loan to receive $25k in as little as 36 hours that can be applied to an EIDL loan.
The Chamber has just put out some helpful materials that might be helpful in explaining these loans (see links and PDF attached):
- Coronavirus Small Business Guide
- Everything You Need to Know About Federal Stimulus Programs for Small Businesses
- Everything You Need to Know About EIDL loans
- How to Apply for an EIDL Loan
- Infographic on the $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program 023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final_revised
by Raul Santa | Mar 27, 2020 | DC Updates
Washington Update
Special Edition
March 27
The House on Friday passed a historic $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, overcoming
11th-hour hurdles erected by a GOP lawmaker that sent furious lawmakers across the country
racing back to Washington to move the emergency legislation to President Trump ‘s desk.
The enormous package, approved by the Senate late Wednesday night, provides hundreds of
billions of dollars for the industries, small businesses, unemployed workers and health care
providers hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated economies around the
world.
Trump has said he’ll sign the bill immediately. House Democratic leaders were able to move the
package by voice vote, a rarely used procedure allowing a few members to air their objections
without forcing the entire chamber to reconvene. But it didn’t happen without a good dose of
last-minute drama on the chamber floor.
To pass the bill, leaders in both parties had to unite to foil an attempted blockade by Rep.
Thomas Massie , a Kentucky Republican who had driven to Washington for the vote and
requested a recorded tally, which requires the participation of at least half of all sitting House
members.
Lawmakers in both parties thwarted Massie’s effort with a procedural gambit of their own: An
insufficient number rose in support of his roll-call request, allowing the speedier voice vote to
stand.
Still, Massie’s threat of a recorded vote sent leaders in both parties scrambling Thursday night to
bring enough lawmakers back to the Capitol to approve the massive relief package. And many
were furious that they were forced to defy the recommendations of the congressional physician
and other public health experts, who have warned against such gatherings.
GOP leaders declined to allow Massie to speak on the floor prior to the vote, prompting him to
accuse his own party brass of being “afraid of the truth.”
“The fix is in,” he tweeted from the floor. “If this bill is so great for America, why not allow a
vote on it?”
The highly unusual proceedings created some light-hearted moments on the floor, despite the
underlying tensions. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the last to speak before the vote, took the
extraordinary step of using the podium to call lawmakers from their offices to the chamber,
where some went to the third-floor galleries overlooking the chamber to avoid overcrowding on
the floor.
“The sooner you come, the shorter my remarks will be,” she said to laughter.
The House had a remarkably low turnout within the 432-member chamber, reflecting the rising
apprehensions of lawmakers to board planes and gather in crowds as the cases of the highly
contagious virus have jumped in recent days above 85,000 in the United States alone.
Still, those that did make the trek wasted no time lashing at Massie, with some accusing the
five-term Kentuckian of jeopardizing their well-being for forcing them back to Washington.
“It’s an act of vanity and selfishness that goes beyond comprehension,” Rep. Dan Kildee
(D-Mich.) said Friday.
Trump joined the chorus of critics shortly after the floor debate began, calling for Kentucky
voters to “throw Massie out of the Republican Party!”
Massie, for his part, has defended his attempted blockade, saying the Senate’s legislation defied
the constitutional requirement that federal spending bills originate in the House.
“The senate did some voodoo just like with Obamacare,” he tweeted Thursday. “It’s the House’s
job to reject the process.”
Publicity stunt or not, Massie’s effort didn’t work. The willingness of both sides to accept the
voice vote reflected the heavy pressure facing Congress to move quickly and aggressively to
counter the devastating effects — both health-related and economic — of the deadly outbreak,
which has killed more than 1,300 Americans, tanked markets, shuttered business and sparked
massive layoffs across the country.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims hit almost 3.3 million last week
alone — a massive spike over the roughly 200,000 applications filed just a few weeks ago.
Heightening the pressure on the House to move quickly, the Senate passed the massive relief bill
without a single vote of dissent.
Among the major provisions, the $2 trillion package provides cash payments up to $1,200 for
individual Americans; offers $367 billion in low-cost loans to affected small businesses; expands
unemployment insurance by $250 billion, while extending existing benefits by 13 weeks; and
furnishes $500 billion to backstop loans for the hardest-hit industries, including airline and hotel
companies.
“Today we’ve all acknowledged our nation faces an economic and health emergency of historic
proportions due to the coronavirus pandemic — the worst pandemic in over 100 years,” Pelosi
said.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) delivered a similarly urgent message.
“We didn’t invite it. We didn’t ask for it. We didn’t choose it,” he said. “But we will fight it
together — until we win, together.”
For leaders of both parties, selling the package was no simple task.
Many liberals have hammered the bill as a corporate giveaway, citing the absence of provisions
to expand paid leave and strengthen worker-safety protections, particularly for the medical
workers on the front lines of diagnosing and treating the coronavirus.
Democrats had also pressed to include more funding for pensions, food stamps and medical care
for those who contract the virus. All of those provisions, Pelosi told her caucus on a Thursday
call, will be a part of the next, fourth round of coronavirus relief in the weeks ahead.
Conservatives, meanwhile, have grumbled about the sheer size of the spending package — none
of it paid for — and provisions they deem extraneous to the immediate crisis, like $25 million for
the Kennedy Center in Washington.
In the end, however, the urgency of the moment was enough to Trump all of the objections,
sending the package to the president’s desk.
When the next phase of relief might arrive is anyone’s guess.
The Senate left Washington after Wednesday’s vote, and is not expected to return before April
20. And the House is also expected to take an extended recess following Friday’s vote.
Pelosi has warned, however, that both chambers should be prepared to return at any time, as
dictated by conditions on the ground.
“Everybody has to be on call for what we need when we need it,” she said Thursday. “We don’t
know what that might be. But whatever it is, we’ll be ready.”
