Federal Update – May 18,2020

Total U.S. coronavirus deaths reported: (last Friday, 85,906), Monday 90,980 

House Democrats HEROS Bill – HR. 6800

Relief Talks Show Areas of Bipartisanship: Lawmakers negotiating the next coronavirus stimulus legislation are starting to see areas of health policy where Democrats and Republicans can agree, despite recent weeks of partisan bickering on Capitol Hill.

The legislation (H.R. 6800), passed Friday mostly along party lines 208-199, would give cash-strapped states and local governments more than $1 trillion while providing most Americans with a new round of $1,200 checks. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it should be the basis of talks with the Senate and White House, which have called for a “pause” to allow earlier coronavirus recovery spending to work.

Republican aides say parts of the $3 trillion coronavirus package contained areas they support—such as revamps of the Strategic National Stockpile that would let the government partner with private companies and accept donations, and ways to protect the pharmaceutical and medical supply chains like creating centers of manufacturing excellence.

There is also growing agreement that there needs to be strengthened oversight of the emergency funds going to health-care providers.

Lawmakers are also finding common ground around improving Covid-19 testing in the U.S., which public health experts have said will be essential to reopening the country. “State testing capacity has gotten substantially better; however, we must reflect on what went wrong and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen in the future,” Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said on the House floor.

Overhauls of Medicare’s advance payment program have been getting attention by members of both parties after hospitals and doctors across the country took out nearly $100 billion in pre-payments from the federal government that they’ll need to pay back. The House-passed legislation would slash the interest rate for health-care providers who borrowed from Medicare, an effort that’s seen some bipartisan support this year.

Major divides between the parties on the next stimulus package remain: Senate Republicans want to bolster liability protections for businesses operating during the pandemic, but many Democrats have flatly rejected that priority. Democrats have sought to boost the Affordable Care Act and approve billions in state aide that Republicans have opposed.

Bill Text

section by section summary of bill

one pager on the legislation

State and Local Provisions

Senate Unveil $500B Plan to Aid States, Local Govt

A bipartisan group of senators plans to introduce legislation Monday that would establish a $500 billion fund to help state and local governments cope with the impact of the coronavirus.

Sen.Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Sen.Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, first announced plans for the bill in April

They have added two more Republicans to the effort: Susan Collins of Maine and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi; Democrats Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Cory Booker of New Jersey are also co-sponsors

Details of the measure include:

• The money would be divided into three tranches, distributed according to population size, infection rates and revenue losses
• The bill does not have a population requirement, meaning municipalities of any size can use the money it makes available
• All states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia would receive a minimum of $2b under the plan
• NOTE: A companion bill has been introduced in the House by Reps. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., and Peter King, R-N.Y., along with a group of bipartisan co-sponsors

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey and his Republican colleague Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana want to establish the half-trillion-dollar fund to help the states hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The money would be divided into three tranches and distributed according to formulas that reflect population, infection rates and revenue loss.

Governors and mayors across the country have been pleading with the federal government for additional aid as tax revenues plummet and demands for resources skyrocket. More than 22 million people have been thrown out of work and businesses have shut or severely curtailed operations. At the same time, health care infrastructure has been stretched in many areas.

“The Covid-19 pandemic may not know state borders, but it has certainly hit some states and regions harder than others,” Menendez said in a statement. “The proverbial house is on fire and we need to focus the water on the hot spots, because if we don’t put the flames out, they will only jump until the entire block is up in smoke.”

‘Essential Services’

Menendez is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and Cassidy, a doctor, is a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

“Senator Menendez’s state and mine were hit hard by the Covid-19 epidemic,” Cassidy said in a statement. “We worked hard to make sure state and local governments can maintain essential services necessary for employees and employers to survive. We must protect Americans’ financial future.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer are in talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to replenish a $349 billion fund that allows small businesses to continue to pay their employees amid widespread stay-at-home orders. Money in that fund ran out on Thursday.

The Democrats want additional aid for states and municipalities in the interim package, but Mnuchin said Sunday that’s not currently part of the deal being negotiated for quick approval by Congress.

Phase Four

Menendez and Cassidy said they’re answering the call from the National Governors Association to establish a much larger “stabilization fund” for states.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, the NGA’s chairman, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, its vice-chairman, said on April 11 that without at least $500 billion, states would have to curtail essential services. The pair are Republican and Democrat, respectively.

The federal stimulus approved in March provides $150 billion for municipalities’ virus expenses but doesn’t address budget shortfalls and only helps states and cities with populations greater than 500,000. The Federal Reserve announced loans to states and only cities with over 1 million residents.

Three Tranches

The fund proposed by Menendez and Cassidy would be divided into three equal tranches. The first would be would be allocated to states and territories according to their percentage of U.S. population. All states and the District of Columbia would receive at least $1.25 billion from this fund. Cities and counties with populations above 50,000 would also be eligible for aid.

The second and third tranches would be allocated according to a state’s share of the U.S. infection rate and loss of revenue funding resulting from shut-downs and stay-at-home orders.

Menendez and other Democrats are also pushing for the Fed to do more for state and local governments. They’re advocating for a permanent change to the Federal Reserve Act that would allow the Fed to purchase municipal debt on the open market under “unusual and exigent circumstances.”

Happening on the Hill

White House

• 11:00 am – In-House Pool Call Time
• 2:00 pm – Trump participates in a roundtable with Restaurant Executives and Industry Leaders
• 4:00 pm – Trump  and Melania participate in a Governor’s Video Teleconference on COVID-19 response and ensuring the well-being of all Americans

House

• House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says no votes are expected this week and the chamber will hold pro forma sessions as he wants to give aides time to determine how new remote rules will work
• The House passed a $3 trillion Democratic economic stimulus bill Friday that President Trump has already rejected and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has dismissed as a liberal wish list
• House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and Bob Menendez, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are launching an investigation into Trump’s move late Friday to oust State Dept Inspector General Steve Linick

Senate

• 3:00 pm – Senate convenes to resume consideration of Scott Rash to be a judge for the District of Arizona

Supreme Court

• 9:30am – Court issues orders, possibly including action on appeals that would expand gun rights
• 10:00am – Opinions expected

SBA Program

Trump administration said firms that took loans of more than $2 million that they didn’t need from a small business aid program would be allowed to repay the money without legal consequences ahead of a deadline today

If you’re looking for a real-time list of public companies who have received SBA Cares Act loans, AI Margaret rom Factsquared has been reading SEC 8-Ks as they’re filed.

https://factba.se/sba-loans

Reopening the States

Healthcare

VA Virus Response: The House Appropriations Military Construction-VA Subcommittee plans a hearing tomorrow on the Veterans Affairs Department’s Covid-19 response efforts. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie is scheduled testify.

CARES Act Report: The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee tomorrow will hear the quarterly CARES Act report to Congress from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Virus Protection for Workers: The House Education and Labor Committee on Wednesday will examine the federal government’s actions to protect workers from Covid-19.

Seniors, Virus Care: The Senate Special Committee on Aging holds a hearing Thursday on caring for seniors during the pandemic.

Azar Says Reopening Is a Health Equation: The question of when and how to end stay-at-home orders in the U.S. is a health-versus-health equation as well as an economic one, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. There is a “very real health consequence to these shutdowns” that needs to be balanced against possible illness from the coronavirus, Azar told CBS’s “Face the Nation.” That’s shown with regard to other medical procedures or regular screenings not being performed or postponed until the outbreak is further contained, he said, citing suic ides rates, “cardiac procedures not being received, cancer screenings, pediatric vaccinations declining.” Read more from Ros Krasny and Tony Czuczka.

Trump Seeks to Require Hospitals to Open Books: The White House wants Congress to require hospitals and insurers to reveal the prices they negotiate for medical services as part of any additional round of coronavirus stimulus, in an effort to short-circuit a legal battle with the health care industry. The HHS published two regulations last year requiring hospitals and insurers to make their prices public. The industry has challenged the rule in court, arguing that it’s a First Amendment violation, and successfully delayed its implementation. Read more from Jennifer Jacobs and Shira Stein.

Trump Unveils ‘Warp Speed’ Heads to Hasten Vaccine: Trump Friday named General Gustave Perna, who directs the U.S. Army Materiel Command, as chief operating officer of “Operation Warp Speed,” likening it to a Manhattan Project-effort. “That means big and that means fast,” Trump said in remarks on Friday from the White House Rose Garden. Former GlaxoSmithKline executive Moncef Slaoui will be the project’s “chief scientist,” Trump said, calling him “one of the most respected men in the world in the production, and really, the formulation of vaccine s.” Justin Sink, Jordan Fabian, and Riley Griffin have more.

• AstraZeneca will make as many as 30 million doses of coronavirus vaccine available to the U.K. by September and has committed to delivering 100 million doses this year. The U.K. will be the first country to get access to the vaccine should it be successful. The vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford will get 65.5 million pounds ($79 million) of funding, U.K. Business Secretary Alok Sharma said yesterday in a statement. The inoculation is already being studied in humans and could reach late-stage trials by the middle of the year. Another 18.5 million pounds will go to Imperial College London as trials accelerate. Read more from Sara Marley.
• An experimental Covid-19 vaccine developed by cigarette maker British American Tobacco is poised to start trials in humans. Pre-clinical trial efforts showed a positive immune response, the London-based producer of Lucky Strike cigarettes said in a statement Friday. The first phase of human trials may start as soon as next month if it’s authorized by drug regulators, BAT said. Read more from Corinne Gretler.
• At the World Health Organization, the public health group is pushing a plan that aims to ensure broad access to treatments and vaccines while offering an appropriate reward to creators. Under a plan offered by Costa Rica, drug companies would voluntarily donate Covid-related intellectual property to a global pool. Countries would be free to decide how to mete out the rights. Read more.

States Push to Streamline Ventilator Fixes: A group of state officials has an idea to boost the availability of ventilators and other equipment that hospitals need to treat coronavirus patients: let more medical facilities fix the ones they have. In a letter to equipment manufacturers, state treasurers of Pennsylvania, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, and Rhode Island said hospitals sometimes had to wait over a week for technicians under contracts. They want manufacturers to release all repair manuals and service keys and let hospitals use technicians of their choice rather than those required under contracts, Susan Decker reports.

Trump to Tour Ford Ventilator Assembly Plant in Michigan: Trump will visit a Ford plant Thursday that has been repurposed to manufacture ventilators and personal protective equipment, according to a White House official, who added the president is expected to tour the plant and discuss the collaboration between Ford and General Electric to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, Justin Sink reports. Trump will visit Ford’s Rawsonville plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, about 30 miles west of Detroit. He’s expected to speak after the tour.

At-Home Sample Collection Kit Approved: The FDA has authorized the first at-home sample collection kit that can be used with multiple Covid-19 diagnostic tests. The FDA said Saturday it granted an emergency use authorization to Everlywell for its collection kit, allowing patients who have been screened online to self-collect a nasal sample and send it to specified labs for use with an authorized diagnostic test. Read more from Alexis Kramer.

Kushner Task Force Shares Private-Sector Zeal, Oscar Health Ties: As the coronavirus spread in mid-March, White House adviser Jared Kushner began assembling an ad hoc task force to combat it. One of his first calls was to a longtime acquaintance, Adam Boehler. In short order, Boehler called Nat Turner, a friend and health care angel investor. Boehler and Turner had founded successful health care startups, but they also shared a connection with Kushner not previously reported: All three have been investors at one time or another in Oscar Health, the company founded and run by Kushner’s brother, Josh.

Kushner says it was simple logic that led him to put together a task force led by businessmen rather than government bureaucrats, running in the shadow of the vice president’s official task force. “The health care sector in America is mostly controlled by the private sector and not-for-profits, so it’s not run by the government,” Kushner said during an April 29 interview on “Fox and Friends.” “So you needed to take a custom, tailored approach.” Read more from David Kocieniewski and Caleb Melby.

China’s Xi to Address Key WHO Meeting Following Fight Over Virus: Chinese leader Xi Jinping will address the World Health Organization’s decision-making body as it commences its annual summit Monday in Geneva, amid rising acrimony over his country’s early handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Xi was invited by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to give a video speech at the opening ceremony of the 73th World Health Assembly, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The president will speak hours after China’s foreign ministry said the timing wasn’t right for an investigation into the virus’s origins, which is being urged by the European Union and Australia. “The vast majority of countries believe that the epidemic situation is not over,” ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing in Beijing, responding to a question on whether China supports an inquiry into an independent investigation. Anti-epidemic cooperation “is a top priority,” he said, “s o the time to immediately start reviewing and tracing the virus’s origins is not yet ripe.”

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Monday that Taiwan was dropping its campaign to be included in this week’s assembly as the proceedings had been shortened due to the virus, and would resume it later in the year when meetings would be conducted normally. Read more from Bloomberg News.

Yesterday, the Trump administration stepped up its campaign of blaming China for the virus after a senior White House aide suggested Beijing sent airline passengers to spread it across the world. “The virus was spawned in Wuhan province, patient zero was in November,” Trump’s trade aide Peter Navarro told ABC. China “for two months hid the virus from the world and then sent hundreds of thousands of Chinese on aircraft to Milan, New York and around the world to seed that.” Read more from Steve Geimann.

Transportation

TSA May Soon Start Fever Screening: The Transportation Security Administration is close to starting a pilot program to check airline passengers for fever as a new layer of protection against the coronavirus, Alan Levin reports.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske supports the idea and the agency is awaiting approval from the White House, one person familiar with the discussions said. The person asked not to be named in discussing sensitive matters.

“At this time, no decision has been made regarding specific health screening measures at airports,” the TSA said in a statement.

A powerful lawmaker last Friday night said he opposes such an action. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said he couldn’t find a legal justification for TSA to check people’s health.

“The health and safety of our transportation security officers have already been put at great risk the past few months,” Thompson said in a press release. “The administration should not put these front-line workers in further danger in order to provide passengers a potential false sense of safety.”

Can The Aviation Industry Afford To Keep You Safe? The aviation industry is wrestling with ways to control the coronavirus and get people back to flying. Airports have seen a 90 percent drop in passengers since mid-March. But as states ease lockdown restrictions, more people are expected to fly. Airports today are starting to make changes with the aim to make passengers be safer as they fly. Justin Bachman reports on what it looks like to fly during a pandemic, and how air travel may change going forward.

Commerce Markup: The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee meets Wednesday to mark up 10 bills including S. 2894, to establish a National Shipper Advisory Committee; S. 3681, to require a joint task force on the operation of air travel during and after Covid-19 pandemic; S. 3728, to require the Transportation Department to support the efforts of state and local governments to provide for priority Covid-19 testing of essential critical infrastructure workers; and S. 3730, to authorize and modernize the TSA registered traveler program.

Tesla Reopens Plant With County’s Approval: Tesla told employees that a California county health official has now signed off on safety measures the company took last week at its car plant as it restarted production in defiance of the area’s shutdown order, according to an email to staff Saturday that was viewed by Bloomberg News.  The county’s authorization could resolve a highly contentious episode in which Elon Musk threatened to move Tesla’s headquarters and future programs out of California and sued the county over its health officer’s resistance to reopening the factory in Fremont. It’s unclear whether the chief executive officer will now follow through on his warnings, which also included shifting the company’s manufacturing out of the state. Some California politicians rebuked the CEO, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said yesterday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Tesla didn’t get preferential treatment over other companies. Read more from Josh Eidelson.

Tesla Will Build Cybertruck Factory in Texas: Tesla has chosen to locate its second U.S. auto factory in Texas, Craig Trudell reports, citing the blog Electrek. The electric-car maker will construct the plant in or near Austin, Electrek said.

SpaceX Is Denied Job Funding: A California employment panel rejected a funding request from SpaceX after Musk defied the health order and threatened to move Tesla’s headquarters out of the state, Josh Eidelson and Dana Hull reports. The state’s main union federation and other labor officials wrote to California’s Employee Training Panel last Thursday to voice opposition to the $655,500 that SpaceX sought to train existing workers and hire new ones. Their resistance was pivotal, since half of the eight panel members are labor leaders. Five voted no during Friday’s virtual meeting.

Trump Nominee to be Transportation Watchdog: President Donald Trump will nominate Eric Soskin to be Inspector General at the Transportation Department, according to a White House statement. Soskin has served as an attorney for the Justice Department’s Federal Programs Branch since 2006 and also served as a policy counsel in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, Megan Howard reports.

Trump to Tour Ford Ventilator Assembly Plant in Michigan: Trump will visit a Ford plant Thursday that has been repurposed to manufacture ventilators and personal protective equipment, according to a White House official, who added the president is expected to tour the plant and discuss the collaboration between Ford and General Electric to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, Justin Sink reports. Trump will visit Ford’s Rawsonville plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, about 30 miles west of Detroit. He’s expected to speak after the tour.

The State of the Self-Driving Car Race 2020: The coronavirus has both strengthened the use case for robot drivers and shuttered labs and factories where the technology was being refined. There’s never been a better time for groceries or medicines delivered by an algorithm on wheels, though near-term milestones will likely be delayed, and the economic fallout from the pandemic will undoubtedly force some companies to scrap their autonomous skunkworks. Hyperdrive lists the company’s in the running.

Friday’s Legislative Action

1. H.R.6800— 116th Congress (2019-2020)HEROES ActSponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 05/12/2020) Cosponsors: (11)Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget; Ways and MeansLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (All Actions)Tracker: 
2. H.R.6880— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate the development of plans, designs, and guidance relating to the production, in accordance with other applicable law, of certain homeland security-critical supplies to address potential national emergencies and disasters, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8] (Introduced 05/14/2020) Cosponsors: (4)Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure; Homeland SecurityLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. (All Actions)Tracker: 
3. H.R.6882— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit payments under such Act to States which permit ballot harvesting, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (9)Committees: House – House AdministrationLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. (All Actions)Tracker: 
4. H.R.6883— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To provide liability protection for meat processing facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Hartzler, Vicky [R-MO-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (10)Committees: House – JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)Tracker: 
5. H.R.6884— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To clarify for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that receipt of coronavirus assistance does not affect the tax treatment of ordinary business expenses.Sponsor: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Ways and MeansLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. (All Actions)Tracker: 
6. H.R.6885— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the importation of a drug or device that was manufactured at a banned foreign facility, to create incentives for pharmaceutical or device companies to increase manufacturing capacity in the United States, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and MeansLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee… (All Actions)Tracker: 
7. H.R.6886— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Small Business Act and the CARES Act to modify certain provisions related to the forgiveness of loans under the paycheck protection program, to allow recipients of loan forgiveness under the paycheck protection program to defer payroll taxes, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (3)Committees: House – Small Business; Ways and MeansLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)Tracker: 
8. H.R.6887— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to establish a disaster and emergency spending financial offset program, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Curtis, John R. [R-UT-3] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (9)Committees: House – Budget; RulesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)Tracker: 
9. H.R.6888— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To modify requirements relating to the participation of community development financial institutions in the paycheck protection program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Small BusinessLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. (All Actions)Tracker: 
10. H.R.6889— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To modernize the Fallon Range Training Complex in Churchill County, Nevada, through the withdrawal and reservation of additional public lands for military use, to allow for transfer of ownership of certain Federal parcels in Nevada, to allow for disposal of Federal lands in Nevada for economic development, to make technical corrections to existing law, for conservation, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Natural Resources; Veterans’ Affairs; Agriculture; Armed ServicesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, Agriculture, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the… (All Actions)Tracker: 
11. H.R.6890— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To authorize the use of certain homeless assistance amounts to rent hotel and motel rooms, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Financial ServicesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. (All Actions)Tracker: 
12. H.R.6891— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to establish goals for the use of diverse investment advisers, brokers, and dealers in investment management agreements related to the Board of Governor’s unusual and exigent circumstances authority, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Financial ServicesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. (All Actions)Tracker: 
13. H.R.6892— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the CARES Act to add requirements for the Main Street Lending Program related to non-profit organizations, small businesses, minority depository institutions, and community development financial institutions, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Financial ServicesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. (All Actions)Tracker: 
14. H.R.6893— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the CARES Act and the Small Business Act to make certain adjustments to the paycheck protection program, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Small BusinessLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. (All Actions)Tracker: 
15. H.R.6894— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Small Business Act to ensure that applicants with a criminal record are eligible for certain loans, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (16)Committees: House – Small BusinessLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. (All Actions)Tracker: 
16. H.R.6895— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To prevent agencies from using unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct surveillance of United States citizens, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)Tracker: 
17. H.R.6896— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To prohibit certain individuals from downloading or using TikTok on any device issued by the United States or a government corporation.Sponsor: Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (29)Committees: House – Oversight and Reform; House AdministrationLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the… (All Actions)Tracker: 
18. H.R.6897— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To expand the waiver of affiliation rules for certain business concerns with more than 1 physical location, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Small BusinessLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. (All Actions)Tracker: 
19. H.R.6898— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To encourage the research and use of innovative materials and associated techniques in the construction and preservation of the domestic transportation and water infrastructure system, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (4)Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure; Science, Space, and Technology; Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such… (All Actions)Tracker: 
20. H.R.6899— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To require Federal agencies to develop and provide notice to tenants of housing relief provided by Federal actions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (2)Committees: House – Financial Services; Veterans’ AffairsLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee… (All Actions)Tracker: 
21. H.R.6900— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To expand compassionate release authority and elderly home confinement access for offenders with heightened coronavirus risk.Sponsor: Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce; BudgetLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the… (All Actions)Tracker: 
22. H.R.6901— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide updated information about COVID-19 testing to the public, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (All Actions)Tracker: 
23. H.R.6902— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs that include the history of peoples of African descent in the settling and founding of America, the economic and political environments that led to the development, institutionalization, and abolition of slavery and its impact on all Americans, the exploration and expansion of America, impact on and contributions to the development and enhancement of American life, United States history, literature, the economy, politics, body of laws, and culture, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (47)Committees: House – Education and LaborLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. (All Actions)Tracker: 
24. H.R.6903— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To allow expensing of amounts paid to move business property from China to the United States, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Ways and MeansLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. (All Actions)Tracker: 
25. H.R.6904— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To increase access to food delivery under the supplemental nutrition assistance program to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (5)Committees: House – Agriculture; BudgetLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)Tracker: 
26. H.R.6905— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program for granting lawful permanent resident status to alien health care professionals providing medical services during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Judiciary; Ways and Means; Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of… (All Actions)Tracker: 
27. H.R.6906— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To provide reimbursements for certain costs of health care items and services, including prescription drugs, furnished during the public health emergency declared with respect to COVID-19.Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (18)Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Veterans’ Affairs; Armed Services; Oversight and Reform; Natural ResourcesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Veterans’ Affairs, Armed Services, Oversight and Reform, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for… (All Actions)Tracker: 
28. H.R.6907— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To establish a program in the Department of the Treasury to allocate funds to States, units of general local government, and Indian Tribes to provide assistance to certain small businesses, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (3)Committees: House – Small BusinessLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. (All Actions)Tracker: 
29. H.R.6908— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To provide for public availability of data pertaining to measures of performance of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (8)Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Armed ServicesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)Tracker: 
30. H.R.6909— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To provide for the establishment of a COVID-19 Compensation Fund, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (2)Committees: House – JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)Tracker: 
31. H.R.6910— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services issue regulations to ensure due process rights for physicians furnishing emergency medical services.Sponsor: Rep. Marshall, Roger W. [R-KS-1] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (All Actions)Tracker: 
32. H.R.6911— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To provide a Federal income tax credit for State income taxes paid by individuals temporarily providing certain health or emergency services in the State, and to provide a corresponding reduction in Federal highway funds to the State.Sponsor: Rep. Posey, Bill [R-FL-8] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Ways and Means; Transportation and InfrastructureLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the… (All Actions)Tracker: 
33. H.R.6912— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for youth sports, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Rose, Max [D-NY-11] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Ways and Means; Education and Labor; Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the… (All Actions)Tracker: 
34. H.R.6913— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To protect local media, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (21)Committees: House – Ways and Means; Oversight and Reform; Small Business; Energy and Commerce; Education and LaborLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, Small Business, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such… (All Actions)Tracker: 
35. H.R.6914— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Appropriations; BudgetLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)Tracker: 
36. H.R.6915— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To facilitate greater effectiveness, coordination, transparency, and accountability of international global health organizations, such as the World Health Organization, in responding to global pandemics and transnational health emergencies.Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; BudgetLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)Tracker: 
37. H.R.6916— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To prohibit the listing of certain firms on national securities exchanges, to provide for expensing of costs directly connected with moving manufacturing from China to the United States, to establish a counterintelligence vetting task force, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Walker, Mark [R-NC-6] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Homeland Security; Ways and Means; Financial ServicesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction… (All Actions)Tracker: 
38. H.R.6917— 116th Congress (2019-2020)To prohibit funds made available under the airport improvement program from being provided to entities that have violated the intellectual property rights of United States entities and therefore pose a threat to national security, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Wright, Ron [R-TX-6] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (5)Committees: House – Transportation and InfrastructureLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. (All Actions)Tracker: 
39. H.Res.965— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (Introduced 05/13/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – RulesLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (All Actions)Tracker: 
40. H.Res.967— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 965) authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6800) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes; providing for proceedings during the period from May 19, 2020, through July 21, 2020; and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (Introduced 05/14/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – RulesCommittee Reports: H. Rept. 116-421Latest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (All Actions)Tracker: 
41. H.Res.969— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Recognizing “National Public Works Week”.Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (2)Committees: House – Transportation and InfrastructureLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. (All Actions)Tracker: 
42. H.Res.970— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Supporting the designation of May 2020 as “ALS Awareness Month”.Sponsor: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (73)Committees: House – Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (All Actions)Tracker: 
43. H.Res.971— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Commemorating the 35th anniversary of broadcasting to Cuba.Sponsor: Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-25] (Introduced 05/15/2020) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: House – Foreign AffairsLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. (All Actions)Tracker: 
44. H.Amdt.815 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)Amends Bill: H.R.6800Sponsor: House Committee on Rules (Offered 05/15/2020)Committees: House – House Committee on Rules
45. S.2746— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection ActSponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 10/30/2019) Cosponsors: (7)Committees: Senate – JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Held at the desk. (All Actions)Tracker: 
46. S.3434— 116th Congress (2019-2020)COPS Counseling ActSponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 03/11/2020) Cosponsors: (5)Committees: Senate – JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Held at the desk. (All Actions)Tracker: 
47. S.3607— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 05/05/2020) Cosponsors: (22)Committees: Senate – JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Held at the desk. (All Actions)Tracker: 
48. S.3744— 116th Congress (2019-2020)Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 05/14/2020) Cosponsors: (66)Latest Action: House – 05/15/2020 Held at the desk. (All Actions)