News
Coronavirus Government Response Update—ISSA Urges Governors to Recognize Cleaning As ‘Essential’
March 23, 2020Welcome to the new 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 sending a letter to U.S. governors urging them to recognize the cleaning industry as “essential,” a US$2 trillion coronavirus bill stalling in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives drafting its own coronavirus funding bill, and more.
ISSA Sends Letter to U.S. Governors Urging Them to Recognize Cleaning Industry As ‘Essential’
ISSA sent a letter to the governors of all 50 U.S. states and territories urging them to recognize the cleaning industry as “essential,” providing products and services that are indispensable in the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. ISSA members play a vital role in protecting the public health through the manufacture of cleaning equipment, cleaning products, sanitizers, and disinfectants, and by providing contract cleaning services to hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, and institutional buildings across the country. Many ISSA members produce hospital grade disinfectants that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against emerging pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
$2 Trillion Coronavirus Bill Stalls In Senate
A $2 trillion coronavirus rescue bill stalled for the second day in a row, as senators clashed angrily over delays that had bogged down the giant bill, reflecting uncertainty about whether Congress would be able to reach a deal in the coming hours. Some lawmakers had hoped to reach an agreement three days ago but talks kept breaking down even as they negotiated throughout the weekend.
Pelosi Says House Will Draft Its Own Coronavirus Funding Bill
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that House Democrats would draft their own coronavirus stimulus bill after all sides failed to reach a deal on a massive proposal being negotiated in the Senate. “We’ll be introducing our own bill, and hopefully it will be compatible with what they discuss on the Senate side,” Pelosi said as she left a short meeting in the Capitol with the leaders of both parties negotiating the stimulus package.
EPA to Expedite Reviews of Products Claiming to Fight Coronavirus
The EPA, the Consumer Brands Association (CBA), and others in the consumer-packaged goods industry announced new steps for expediting reviews of products related to the coronavirus pandemic. The move aims to ensure accurate information for the public about which products can help combat the spread of the coronavirus. The EPA’s review process will now take as little as two weeks, instead of the typical 90 days, the CBA said following a recent call with the EPA.
Other links of interest:
- Advocacy Groups Push Back on ‘Business as Usual’ at EPA during Coronavirus
- Act Today to Ensure the Cleaning Industry Is Declared “Essential”
- ISSA Webinar: How Governments in the U.S. Are Responding to COVID-19
- ISSA Federal Coronavirus Legislative Response Summary
- SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus