Earlier today, NSF released an FAQs document for proposers and awardees with respect to the impact of COVID-19. It is available here. It is part of a larger NSF special report website related to NSF-relevant COVID-19 issues, which is available here.
News and updates
UW Office of Research: FAQs Related to Stay-at-Home Order
The University of Washington Office of Research has created a document answering various FAQs related to the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order and how UW will maintain critical research.
The document is available here and will be updated periodically.
House to Take Up Emergency Bill on Friday
As noted earlier this morning, the Senate passed the $2-trillion relief package last night by a vote of 96 to 0. Before the vote on final passage, there was plenty of last-minute drama that had to be addressed.
One of the late issues was raised by a group of conservative Senators who raised objections to provisions in the bill that would both extend the length of eligibility for unemployment benefits as well as the size of the unemployment checks. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) countered by asserting that he would hold up progress on the legislation if those provisions were changed. Ultimately, the group of conservatives was allowed to offer an amendment that would have decreased the benefits, which was defeated. Following that, the Senate approved the bill 96 to 0.
Even as the Senate was debating the package, questions swirled about how the House would take it up, as most Members are currently back in their districts and face difficult choices about whether and how to return to Washington to vote. At this point, the House is scheduled to bring up the bill on Friday and will seek to pass it by voice vote rather than take a roll call vote.
Read more about the behind the scenes debates and conversations in:
Senate Passes $2 Trillion Emergency Package
Late Wednesday night the Senate passed, by a unanimous vote, the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package (CARES Act).
It now goes to the House where votes are expected on Friday. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has expressed support for the bill.
Analysis is forthcoming, however the full text of the bill is available here.
Department of Education Announces New Relief Measures
Today, US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the following new measures intended to relieve federal student loan borrowers amidst the COVID-19 national emergency.
- The Department will halt collection actions and wage garnishments related to federal student loans for a 60 day period beginning March 13th, 2020. Private collection agencies have been requested to stop proactive collection efforts.
- The Department will not request Treasury to withhold money from federal tax returns and social security payments.
- The Department will refund $1.3 billion in offsets to more than 800,000 borrowers. This represents offsets which were in the process of being withheld as of March 13th, 2020.
These measures are in addition to previously announced steps; federal loan interest rates have been adjusted to 0%, as well as all borrowers have the option to halt payments for 60 days from March 13th, 2020 by contacting their loan servicer.