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Coronavirus Government Response Update—Access Recording of Latest Advocacy Webinar

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 a new ISSA advocacy webinar recording that’s now available, Democratic unity starting to crack in the coronavirus liability reform fight, Senator McConnell talking about a fifth coronavirus bill, and more.

New ISSA Advocacy Webinar Recording Now Available
Missed ISSA’s latest advocacy webinar, “Legislative Update: COVID-19 and the Cleaning Industry,” on May 26? ISSA members can view the webinar recording for free to learn about:

• What’s happening at the federal and state levels and how these fast-moving government affairs may affect your business and the cleaning industry
• Liability protections for essential businesses like yours
• The next federal stimulus package being debated in Congress.

You’ll also receive an update on the Clean Start: Back to Work Tax Credit, learn how you can help continue to build momentum for this proposal, and much more. This informative webinar features ISSA’s Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft.

Democratic Unity Starts to Crack in Coronavirus Liability Reform Fight
A group of moderate Senate Democrats say they are open to considering liability protection for businesses in the next round of coronavirus relief legislation, a crack in Democratic unity that gives Republicans and the White House some leverage. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (NY) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have rejected Republican demands for liability protection, but some rank-and-file Democrats say it could be appropriate in certain circumstances. Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE.) says he wants some form of liability protection for businesses to be included in the next coronavirus relief bill but also framed it as something that could help workers.

McConnell: Talking about Fifth Coronavirus Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that there would “likely” be a fifth coronavirus relief bill “in the next month or so.” “Many of you are asking, what next? I think there’s likely to be another bill. It will not be the US$3 trillion bill the House passed the other day. But there’s still a likelihood that more will be needed,” McConnell said during an event at a hospital in Louisville, KY. “In the next month or so we’ll be talking about possibly another bill,” McConnell added about “what may lay ahead” for Congress’s response to the coronavirus, which has sparked steep economic damage since March. 

Trump Anti-Reg Push Likely to End up in Court
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump directing agencies to slash regulations in order to boost the economy is likely to lead to a number of court challenges. The recent order directs agency heads to “identify regulatory standards that may inhibit economic recovery,” highlighting that regulations could be permanently or temporarily lifted to fight the economic fallout of the coronavirus. But experts say speeding up the regulatory process or nixing public comment periods would likely be slammed in court unless the Trump administration can demonstrate its actions were necessary due to the pandemic.

Other links of interest

• Take Action Now – Urge Your Elected Officials to Support the Clean Start: Back to Work Tax Credit
• ISSA Coronavirus Government Response FAQ
• Federal Coronavirus Legislative Package 3 – ISSA Summary
• SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
• U.S. Department of Labor: COVID-19 and the American Workplace