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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated May 7, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-Cov-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] , the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2020-05-07
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President Trump Criticizes VOA Coverage of China's COVID-19 Response [April 28, 2020]
From the Document: "On April 10, 2020, the White House included in its online '1600 Daily' summary of key news and events a statement entitled 'Voice of America Spends Your Money to Speak for Authoritarian Regimes.' The statement referred to a Voice of America (VOA) story and two posts that, it asserted, 'amplified Beijing's propaganda' about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The statement criticized VOA for running an Associated Press article on its website on April 7, 2020, which referred to Wuhan's lockdown as a 'model' for other countries battling the coronavirus. The White House statement provided an image of part of a March 31, 2020, VOA Facebook post, which included a graphic showing that the U.S. COVID-19 death toll had surpassed China's then-official tally. On April 7, 2020, a VOA tweet showed a video of a light show put on by the Wuhan government to mark the end of the city's lockdown. VOA operates under the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent, federal entity whose mission is to' provide unbiased news and information in countries where the press is restricted.' Voice of America released a response to the White House statement, asserting that 'VOA has thoroughly debunked' Chinese government and state-run disinformation and propaganda related to the pandemic, and that 'we are free to show all sides of an issue and are actually mandated to do so by law,' unlike Chinese media."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weed, Matthew C.
2020-04-28
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Prior Practice of Proxy Voting in House Committee [May 1, 2020]
From the Document: "In order to increase physical distancing in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the House scheduled consideration of a resolution during the week of April 20, 2020, that would have temporarily authorized the use of 'proxy' voting on the chamber floor. Speaker Nancy Pelosi subsequently indicated that consideration of the resolution was postponed pending an examination by a bipartisan task force of options to facilitate remote participation by Representatives in committee and floor business. The recent focus on proxy voting has led to interest in the history of the practice in the House. This Insight describes how proxy voting in House committee previously functioned, summarizes arguments made in support of and opposition to the practice, and traces the evolution of chamber rules related to proxy voting in committee."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis, Christopher M., 1966-
2020-05-01
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Pandemic Influenza: Domestic Preparedness Efforts [Updated February 20, 2007]
From the Introduction: "This report discusses pandemic influenza in general, previous pandemics and their global and domestic impacts, and the possible impacts of another pandemic caused by the H5N1 avian flu strain. It also discusses WHO [World Health Organization] and U.S. preparedness plans and their context in broader emergency preparedness efforts. Finally, the report looks at a number of policy issues in pandemic influenza preparedness and response. While reference is made when relevant to global preparedness efforts and to animal health impacts, this report focuses on U.S. domestic public health preparedness and response planning, and the projected impacts of an influenza pandemic on Americans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2007-02-20
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Tax Cuts and Economic Stimulus: How Effective Are the Alternatives? [Updated May 14, 2020]
From the Summary: "The economic effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led Congress to consider general fiscal stimulus in the form of tax cuts. Additional stimulus proposals are under consideration. This report discusses tax cuts proposed or enacted during the Great Recession, current enacted provisions, and potential ones, and their potential effectiveness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-05-14
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COVID-19: Role of the International Financial Institutions [May 4, 2020]
From the Document: "The international financial institutions(IFIs), including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and regional and specialized multilateral development banks, are mobilizing unprecedented levels of financial resources to support countries responding to the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. [1] More than half of the IMF's membership has requested IMF support, and the IMF has announced it is ready to tap its total lending capacity, about $1 trillion, to support governments responding to COVID-19. [2] The World Bank has committed to mobilizing $160 billion over the next 15 months, and other multilateral development banks have committed to providing $80 billion during that time period. [and 3] At the urging of the IMF and the World Bank, the G-20 [group of twenty] countries in coordination with private creditors have agreed to suspend debt payments for low-income countries through the end of 2020. Policymakers are discussing a number of policy actions to further bolster the IFI response to the COVID-19 pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A.
2020-05-04
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Applicability of Federal Civil Rights Laws to Recipients of CARES Act Loans [May 1, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide economic assistance temporarily to eligible organizations. Section 1102 of the CARES Act establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which enlarges the SBA's authority to guarantee loans under Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act. Section 1110 of the CARES Act broadens SBA's authority to distribute Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) under Section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act. Applicants for the latter loan can receive an emergency grant advance that the recipient does not have to repay, even if the loan is denied. [...] This extension of federal funds to new recipients raises questions about what obligations may accompany the issuance of such loans. Various federal civil rights laws condition the receipt of federal funds on recipients' adherence to certain antidiscrimination mandates. This Sidebar examines the potential application of these civil rights laws to recipients of EIDL grants and PPP and EIDL loans. It also considers potential limits on the scope of these obligations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cole, Jared P.
2020-05-01
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COVID-19: Supply Chain Disruptions in the U.S. Fruit and Vegetable Industry: In Brief [May 8, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. fruit and vegetable industry entered 2020 following a difficult 2019 characterized by both lower prices and reduced production in some sectors. By broad market category, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that grower prices for both fruits and tree nuts and vegetables and pulses began 2020 at low levels, with expectations for continued price declines. In mid-March 2020, the foodservice industry, which accounts for a substantial share of the produce industry's sales, was largely shut down as most states closed all but essential businesses in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. This situation resulted in major supply chain disruptions for the U.S. produce industry. [...] On April 15, 2020, in an effort to lessen labor disruption impacts on the industry, the Department of Homeland Security and USDA announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A visa requirements. Related concerns involve the potential effects if farmworkers and other produce industry workers become ill from the virus, as happened in some U.S. meatpacking plants. COVID-19 outbreaks have disrupted meat processing and caused some shortages of certain meat products in grocery stores."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Johnson, Renée
2020-05-08
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Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact in Africa [Updated May 11, 2020]
From the Document: "As Congress considers the global impact of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], some Members may examine the implications for sub-Saharan Africa ('Africa'). Most African health systems struggle with low capacity, trailing world averages in per capita numbers of doctors, hospital beds, ventilators, and oxygen cylinders. Although lessons from past disease outbreaks (e.g., recent Ebola outbreaks) led some countries to quickly ramp up disease surveillance and behavior change campaigns, overall state capacity tends to be low. Confirmed caseloads in Africa have been relatively low to date, but may be underreported. The pandemic has disrupted efforts to prevent and contain other diseases, including polio, measles, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. [...] African economies have been severely affected. Global prices for key commodity exports (e.g., oil, natural gas, and certain minerals) have cratered. Job-rich sectors such as transportation and tourism are largely suspended, and remittances from African workers abroad have withered. Informal workers have lost meager incomes due to COVID-19 control measures, and prices for basic goods have risen. In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that African economies would contract by 1.6% overall in 2020, the most severe regional recession in decades. The World Bank estimated that 23 million more Africans could fall into extreme poverty due to the pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis; Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Cook, Nicolas . . .
2020-05-11
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COVID-19: Global Implications and Responses [Updated May 8, 2020]
From the Overview: "Congressional interest in the global implications of pandemics and the novel coronavirus pandemic is high, with over 50 pieces of related legislation introduced in the 116th Congress to date (see CRS Report R46319, 'Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19): Q&A on Global Implications and Responses').The virus, which is believed to have started in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, is now named 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARSCoV-2) and is known by the disease it causes, 'coronavirus disease 2019' (COVID-19). The virus has spread across the globe and is now concentrated in the United States and Europe. As of May 7, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 3.6 million people had contracted the disease, with over 250,000 deaths. WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30 and labeled it a 'pandemic' on March 11."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tharakan, Sara M.; Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji; Gottron, Frank . . .
2020-05-08
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COVID-19 and the Indian Health Service [Updated May 1, 2020]
From the Document: "The Indian Health Service (IHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the lead federal agency charged with improving the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. In FY2019, IHS provided health care to approximately 2.6 million eligible American Indians/Alaska Natives. Its total FY2020 annual appropriation was $6.2 billion. As of April 30, IHS has seen more than 3,000 positive tests for coronavirus among its service population. In particular, the Navajo Nation has experienced one of the largest outbreaks nationally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-
2020-05-01
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Offshore Royalty Relief: Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "U.S. oil and gas producers face financial challenges stemming from demand reduction, oversupply, and commodity price drops during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Some Members of Congress have asked the Department of the Interior (DOI) to offer 'royalty relief' on federal oil and gas leases--a temporary reduction or waiver of the royalties that companies pay the federal government on production from these leases. Some other Members have opposed a comprehensive royalty relief program for federal oil and gas producers. DOI has stated that affected producers may apply for royalty relief individually using existing options, clarifying that the Department does not plan to pursue a new program of blanket royalty relief at this time."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Comay, Laura B.
2020-05-13
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Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation [Updated May 12, 2020]
From the Overview: "Natural disasters can have varying effects on the landscape. For agricultural producers, natural disasters are part of the inherent risk of doing business. The federal role for mitigating weather risk is primarily through federal crop insurance and a suite of agricultural disaster assistance programs to address a producer's crop or livestock production loss. Other, separate U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs are designed to repair agricultural and forest land following a natural disaster and potentially mitigate future risk. [...] This report describes these emergency agricultural land assistance programs. It presents background on the programs--purpose, activities, authority, eligibility requirements, and authorized program funding levels--as well as current congressional issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stubbs, Megan
2020-05-12
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Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act: Division B--Revenue Provisions [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress continues to consider proposals intended to alleviate the economic effects associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. One such proposal, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), was introduced in the House on May 12, 2020. Division B of the HEROES Act, or the COVID-19 Tax Relief Act of 2020, contains a number of individual and business tax provisions, including [1] a one-time direct payment for eligible individuals, and an expansion of eligibility for the direct payments provided in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act; [2] enhanced benefits and/or expanded eligibility for the earned income tax credit (EITC), child tax credit, and child and dependent care tax credit, and suspension of the limitation on the deduction for state and local taxes paid; [3] expansions of tax credits for paid sick leave and paid family leave; [4] tax credits for employers and employees in businesses susceptible to COVID-19- related interruptions; [5] expanded utilization options for certain employee health and dependent care benefits; and [6] a permanent limitation on using noncorporate business losses to offset nonbusiness income, and reduced ability to carry back recent net operating losses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Sherlock, Molly F.; Driessen, Grant A. . . .
2020-05-15
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Election 2020 and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Legal Issues in Absentee and All-Mail Voting [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been concerns about the potential impact on the 2020 federal election cycle. Some states have delayed primary elections, and, in other jurisdictions, officials have moved polling places away from high-risk populations. As the public health crisis continues, new questions are emerging about the safety and accessibility of voting in the remaining federal primaries and the November 3 general election. These concerns are coupled with questions about how to maintain election integrity. [...] In this Sidebar, absentee voting generally refers to state laws that permit eligible voters to request and cast ballots by mail without physically going to the polls on Election Day. All-mail voting generally refers to state laws that provide for automatic mailing of ballots to all eligible voters. This Sidebar outlines the legal landscape for state and federal election laws, examines recent challenges to state laws in response to the pandemic, and briefly discusses select legislation introduced in the 116th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whitaker, L. Paige
2020-05-15
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Federal Authority to Lift or Modify State and Local COVID-19 'Stay-At-Home' Orders: Frequently Asked Questions [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "To contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), roughly 20 states and the District of Columbia continue to operate under so-called 'stay-at-home' orders closing nonessential businesses and limiting the circumstances in which individuals can leave their residences. In other states, some counties and cities remain subject to similar orders. These directives fall within the traditional police powers of state and local governments to protect the health and safety of their citizens. But stay-at-home orders also implicate federal interests, raising questions about the balance between federal and state power if federal authorities disagree with the content or duration of specific state or local mandates. Besides these federalism issues, disputes over the proper response to COVID-19 raise separation-of-powers questions about the President's authority to override stay-at-home orders. This Legal Sidebar responds to certain frequently asked questions concerning the federal government's power to lift or modify such orders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sykes, Jay B.
2020-05-15
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Helping U.S. Citizens Abroad During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other International Crises: Role of the Department of State [May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has long provided consular services to American citizens around the world pursuant to laws passed by Congress. Such services include disseminating information regarding any major disaster or incident abroad affecting the safety of U.S. citizens and, when their lives are endangered by such crises, facilitating their safe and efficient evacuation. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has required DOS to scale up consular services in response to unprecedented demand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has conducted oversight of DOS's consular services and passed two supplemental appropriations laws that include additional funds for DOS to maintain consular operations and carry out evacuations. Some Members of Congress have also introduced legislation seeking to adjust or eliminate the statutory requirement that private U.S. citizens evacuated by DOS reimburse the department for a portion of the expenses associated with their evacuation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory R.
2020-05-13
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Impact of COVID-19-Related Forbearances on the Federal Mortgage Finance System [May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "One of the major economic impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been loss of income, which has left many Americans unable to repay their financial obligations--including their mortgage payments. In response, regulators have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers to allow them to defer payments on mortgages through a process known as 'forbearance.' Provisions in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act (P.L. 116-136) require mortgage servicers to provide several months of forbearance to borrowers (at the borrowers' requests, after they demonstrate a COVID-19-related financial hardship) with a 'federally backed mortgage.' This Insight explains the term federally backed mortgage and examines some of the potential impacts that forbearance on these mortgages may have on the mortgage finance system"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Scott, Andrew P.
2020-05-13
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Entry Restrictions at the Northern and Southern Borders in Response to COVID-19 [Updated April 27, 2020]
From the Document: "In response to the global spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], the federal government has issued several orders restricting the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. Many of these restrictions were implemented through President Trump's authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to suspend the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens) whose entry the President 'finds ... would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.' [...] The Trump Administration has taken other action, relying on authority outside INA Section 212(f), to restrict the movement of foreign nationals over land borders into the United States. Two orders restrict non-essential travel by foreign nationals into the United States through ports of entry on the land borders with both Canada and Mexico. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued an order (along with implementing regulations) suspending the 'introduction' of foreign nationals from countries with COVID-19. These new orders raise a number of legal issues--most notably their effect on migrants seeking asylum in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Santamaria, Kelsey Y.; Harrington, Ben
2020-04-27
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COVID-19 Testing: Key Issues [April 23, 2020]
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is affecting communities throughout the United States, with the country reporting the highest number of cases and deaths from the disease globally. Containment and mitigation efforts by federal, state, and local governments have been undertaken to 'flatten the curve'--that is, to slow widespread transmission that could overwhelm the nation's health care system. Diagnostic testing is a critical part of the clinical management of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus. In addition, both diagnostic and serology testing at scale may be a key component of efforts to ease mitigation measures prior to the development, manufacture, and broad distribution of a vaccine or effective therapeutic. Efforts in the United States to rapidly develop, scale up, and disseminate testing for COVID-19 have faced challenges, including supply chain issues; a shifting regulatory landscape; a lack of consensus around federal coordination of or strategy for testing; concerns with the accuracy of both molecular and serology tests; an early lack of data on test results and capacity; and a delayed ramp-up by commercial laboratories and test manufacturers of both centralized and point-of-care testing. In addition, manufacturing and quality issues with the nation's initial test--developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--resulted in significant delay in early access to testing throughout the country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sarata, Amanda K.
2020-04-23
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Federal Employee Leave [April 24, 2020]
From the Document: "The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127) established two types of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) related leave for employees: [1] Division C of the FFCRA, titled the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA), amended the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to make FMLA leave available to an employee unable to work or telework because a child's school or place of care is closed or a childcare provider is unavailable for COVID-19-related reasons. The first 10 days of this new emergency FMLA leave may be unpaid leave, but an employer must provide paid leave, up to a possible 10 weeks, for leave taken after 10 days. [2] Division E of the FFCRA, titled the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA), requires employers to provide paid sick time to an employee unable to work or telework for specified COVID-19-related reasons, such as being subject to a quarantine or isolation order. Although the paid sick time provided by the EPSLA is available for most federal employees, emergency FMLA leave is available only for certain federal employees. This In Focus explores the differences in federal employee coverage under the EFMLEA and the EPSLA, and discusses how the EFMLEA's amendment of the FMLA created coverage for only a subset of federal employees."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Donovan, Sarah A.; Shimabukuro, Jon O.
2020-04-24
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Selected Health Provisions in Title III of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136) [April 29, 2020]
From the Summary: "The global pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affecting communities around the world and throughout the United States, with the number of confirmed cases and fatalities growing daily. Containment and mitigation efforts by U.S. federal, state, and local governments have been undertaken to 'flatten the curve'--that is, to slow the widespread transmission that could overwhelm the nation's health care system. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-136) was enacted on March 27, 2020. It is the third comprehensive law enacted in 2020 to address the pandemic. In addition to a number of broad health care provisions, the CARES Act provides additional supplemental appropriations to support federal response efforts and authorizes a number of economic stimulus measures, among other things. This report describes the majority of health-related sections in Division A, Title III, of the CARES Act, 'Supporting America's Health Care System in the Fight Against the Coronavirus.' Relevant background is provided for context."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-
2020-04-29
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Proposals for a COVID-19 Congressional Advisory Commission: A Comparative Analysis [April 28, 2020]
From the Summary: "This report provides a comparative analysis of five congressional advisory commissions proposed to date that would investigate various aspects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak, governmental responses, governmental pandemic preparedness, and the virus's impact on the American economy and society. The overall structures of each of the proposed commissions are similar in many respects, both to each other and to previous independent advisory commissions established by Congress. Specifically, the proposed commissions would (1) exist temporarily; (2) serve in an advisory capacity; and (3) report a work product detailing the commission's findings, conclusions, and recommendations. That said, each proposed commission has unique elements, particularly concerning its membership structure, appointment structure, and time line for reporting to Congress. Specifically, this report compares and discusses the (1) membership structure, (2) appointment structure, (3) rules of procedure and operation, (4) duties and reporting requirements, (5) commission powers, (6) staffing, and (7) funding of the five proposed commission structures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.; Egar, William T.
2020-04-28
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Unauthorized Immigrants' Eligibility for COVID-19 Relief Benefits: In Brief [Updated May 7, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Of the 44.4 million foreign-born individuals residing in the United States in 2017, about one-quarter (10.5 million) were estimated to be unauthorized immigrants. Nearly two-thirds of unauthorized immigrants have resided in the United States for over 10 years. The degree to which unauthorized immigrants should be accorded certain rights and privileges as a result of their residence in the United States has long been the subject of congressional interest, which has been heightened amidst the coronavirus pandemic and the congressional response to its impact on the economy. Prior to 1996, there was no uniform rule governing which categories of foreign nationals (i.e., 'aliens' ) residing in the United States were eligible for which government-provided benefits and services. Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA, P.L. 104-193) established comprehensive restrictions on the eligibility of noncitizens for federal public benefits. These restrictions applied to the majority of non-naturalized (i.e., non-U.S. citizen) foreign-born persons, including lawful permanent residents (also known as 'green card holders'), asylees and refugees, nonimmigrants, and unauthorized immigrants. This report focuses exclusively on the unauthorized population; it outlines their eligibility for federal benefits generally, and for benefits included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) specifically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kolker, Abigail F.
2020-05-07
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Universal Service Fund and COVID-19: The FCC and Industry Response [April 24, 2020]
From the Document: "The need for social distancing, due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has led to an increase in remote working, distance learning, and telemedicine-- activities that depend on connectivity to the telecommunications and broadband network. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its Universal Service Fund (USF) programs are viewed by some as avenues to address this growing need. The FCC has taken steps to expand and modify three of the USF programs: the Lifeline Program; the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program; and the Rural Health Care Program, in response to the pandemic and to address various aspects of social distancing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gilroy, Angele A.
2020-04-24
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Tax Treatment of Net Operating Losses (NOLs) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [Updated April 28, 2020]
From the Document: "Increased benefits from net operating losses (NOLs) had been discussed as part of the response to the economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) included a provision increasing tax benefits for NOLs. This revision temporarily suspends current rules that were last revised in the 2017 tax revision, popularly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (P.L. 115-97)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-04-28
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Pandemic Response Accountability Committee: Organization and Duties [Updated April 28, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) created a new federal entity, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), to 'conduct and support oversight' of the federal government's response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and promote transparency. This Insight provides an introduction to the organization and duties of the PRAC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilhelm, Ben
2020-04-28
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SBA EIDL and Emergency EIDL Grants for COVID-19 [Updated April 30, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress increased eligibility for certain businesses and organizations for Small Business Administration (SBA) economic injury disaster loans (EIDL) and established an Emergency EIDL Grant program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) to provide shortterm, economic relief to certain small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. This Insight provides a brief overview of EIDL, including eligibility and loan terms. It also provides an overview of Emergency EIDL Grants, and describes how EIDL can be used in conjunction with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. EIDL eligibility and loan terms under the CARES Act differ from EIDL provided for other disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.
2020-04-30
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Noncitizens and Eligibility for the 2020 Recovery Rebates [May 1, 2020]
From the Document: "Some policymakers have expressed concern that certain individuals, including some immigrants (referred to as noncitizens, foreign nationals, or aliens in law and throughout this Insight), are ineligible for direct payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136). The statute refers to these payments as 2020 recovery rebates. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refers to these payments issued in 2020 as Economic Impact Payments. [...] There are three main categories of individuals who are ineligible for these payments (not necessarily mutually exclusive): 1. children over 16 years old and adult dependents; 2. certain noncitizens who have individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) or are nonresident aliens; and 3. higher-income taxpayers (generally with income over $99,000 if single, $198,000 if married, with higher thresholds for those with qualifying children). Generally, receipt of these payments in 2020 will be based on individuals' eligibility using information from 2019 (or, if unavailable, 2018). This Insight provides an overview of one category of individuals who are ineligible for the 2020 recovery rebates--certain noncitizens who have ITINs or are nonresident aliens."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Kolker, Abigail F.
2020-05-01
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Executive Order on the Food Supply Chain and the Defense Production Act: FAQs [May 1, 2020]
From the Document: "On April 28, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) to address the food supply chain for meat and poultry products during the national emergency caused by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak. The release of the EO was preceded by some state and congressional calls for such an order, and significant media coverage about the potential contents of such an order. This Sidebar addresses some frequently asked questions about the EO's contents, legal bases, and potential effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2020-05-01
