News
Coronavirus Government Response Update—ISSA Calls for Congressional Liability Relief
May 28, 2020
Welcome to the Coronavirus Government Response Update. This information is intended to keep ISSA members up to date on fast-moving government affairs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other public policy issues important to the cleaning industry. Today’s update touches on ISSA calling on U.S. Congress to enact COVID-19 liability relief, bipartisan senators introducing a bill to make changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Secretary of State Pompeo ramping up economic and diplomatic tensions with China, and more.
ISSA Calls on Congress to Enact COVID-19 Liability Relief
ISSA joined more than 230 organizations to call on Congress to enact temporary and targeted liability relief legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These crucial protections should safeguard businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions, as well as health care providers and facilities from unfair lawsuits so that they can continue to contribute to a safe and effective recovery from this pandemic.
Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill to Make Changes to PPP
Sens. Angus King (I-Maine) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced legislation to extend the time businesses have to use funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and eliminate the limit on using funds for non-payroll expenses. The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act would allow businesses to extend the period, which is currently eight weeks, to 24 weeks. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted almost unanimously—by a vote of 417 to 1—to pass similar legislation, which now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Pompeo Ramps up Economic, Diplomatic Tensions with China
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Hong Kong does not warrant more favorable treatment than mainland China, setting up potential U.S. actions that could damage the city’s status as a global financial center and trigger a further deterioration in relations between Washington and Beijing. Pompeo’s declaration could pave the way for President Donald Trump to impose on Hong Kong some of the same economic penalties that he wielded against China over the past two years. In a State Department release, Pompeo said he had notified Congress that Hong Kong no longer enjoyed the full range of political freedoms that China had promised residents when it regained control of the trading center from Great Britain in 1997.
Other links of interest
- Take Action Now – Urge Your Elected Officials to Support the Clean Start: Back to Work Tax Credit
- ISSA Webinar Recording – Legislative Update: COVID-19 and the Cleaning Industry (May 26, 2020; available to ISSA members only)
- ISSA Coronavirus Government Response FAQ
- SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor: COVID-19 and the American Workplace
