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Category: Administration

Deal Reached on COVID-19 Bill

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As noted this morning, negotiators had been working to reach an agreement on the next COVID-19-related bill, scheduling a Senate session for this afternoon. A deal has officially been reached on the legislation.

The $484-billion measure includes, among other provisions:

  • $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which ran out of money next week
  • $75  billion for hospitals and other health care facilities
  • $25 billion for expanded COVID-19 testing as well as the development of a national strategy
  • $50 billion for SBA Economic Disaster Loans
  • $10 billion for SBA Economic Injury Grants

The bill does not include any additional funds for states and localities.

Senate Democrats are calling this package an “interim” measure, fully expecting to take up a “Phase 4” bill later this spring.

The Senate is scheduled to meet at 4 PM EDT with the hopes of passing the bill by unanimous consent.

Read more about the agreement here, here, and here.

Senate Close to Taking Up Supplement to CARES Act

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The Senate is scheduled to come into session at 4 PM ET today, signaling that the Administration and Congressional Democrats have almost finalized a deal on a supplement package to “Phase 3,” the CARES Act. The legislation that was being hammered out overnight is approximately $500 billion in total and was prompted primarily by the program designed to help small businesses in the CARES Act running out of money.

This new bill includes an infusion of approximately $300 billion for the small business program and includes, among other provisions, additional funds for hospitals and to expand testing capabilities.  While there is no new funding for states and localities, it does allow for more flexibility for those entities to use the $150 billion they received in CARES.

Anticipating Senate passage, the House leadership has alerted House members that a vote could take place on the measure on Thursday, allowing enough time for them to get back to D.C.  Like the vote on the CARES Act, which could not be passed by “unanimous consent” because of an objection, a recorded vote on this measure may be needed as well.

Read more about the developments in the Washington Post and here in  Politico.

Even with this package being finalized, conversations about a “Phase 4” bill are still taking place.

OMB Issues Guidance to Allow Grant Recipients to Repurpose PPE and Other Materials

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The White House Office of Management and Budget yesterday issued guidance (M-20-20) that enables federal agencies to  to “repurpose their federal assistance awards (in whole or part) to support the COVID-19 response, as consistent with applicable laws.”

The memo states, in part, the following:

As an example of this flexibility, agencies may allow recipients to donate medical equipment (including, but not limited to, personal protective equipment, medical devices, medicines, and other medical supplies) purchased with Federal assistance funds to hospitals, medical centers, and other local entities serving the public for COVID-19 response. This class exception also extends to the donation of other resources (such as labor, supplies, and contract services) funded under Federal financial assistance to support COVID-19 emergency response activities.

Guidance Sought from State Department on International Students and Personnel

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In a letter sent earlier today, higher education associations asked the State Department for further guidance and assistance on the hurdles faced by international students, faculty, and staff at colleges and universities across the nation.

While acknowledging clarity and needed guidance that provided in some areas, the letter also highlights the fact a number of other problems still remain.  Read the letter here.