In Brief

Senate Returns for Phase 4 Stimulus (aka CARES 2)
House Outlines Plans for $1 Trillion in CARES 2
House Energy & Commerce Committee Outlines Needs for Reopening
Coronavirus Disbandment Rumors Circulate

Senate Returns for Phase 4 Stimulus (aka CARES 2) – The Senate returned to Washington, DC this week to resume work.  The focus remains the coronavirus response, but the timing of the next phase remains unclear. Democrats are calling for the next package to include $1 trillion in aid for state and local governments to cover COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue. Speaker Pelosi is rumored to be directing the Democratic caucus to avoid seeing this package as a "wish list" bill.

Republicans are pushing for provisions that would shield employers from liability if their workers contract the coronavirus. Majority Leader McConnell has said that they will not agree to the state and local aid without the inclusion of corporate liability provisions. However, Democrats view such language as opening the door for workplaces to force employees back to work in unsafe environments.

House Outlines Plans for $1 Trillion in CARES 2 – While the House of Representatives has not yet returned to the nation’s capital, they have begun work on the next phase of COVID-19 relief legislation, this next phase is being called CARES 2 by Democratic leadership. Reported to be a $1 trillion-dollar price tag, this could include $500 billion for states; $250 billion for localities, with potentially more for state or local governments as counties are reporting a $144 billion funding challenge and states could face $650 billion budget shortfalls. Speaker Pelosi noted that the funding for state and local governments to respond to the pandemic and pay frontline workers would be spread over time.

House Energy & Commerce Committee Outlines Needs for Reopening – Last week, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) released a memo outlining the legislative policies within the committee's jurisdiction that are necessary to safely reopen the country. The document highlights six major goals and the policy necessary to achieve them: establishing a national testing plan; ensuring an adequate supply chain; the establishment of coordinated contract tracing and surveillance; improved public health data; free testing and treatment for all Americans; and, preparation for treatment and vaccines.

Coronavirus Taskforce Disbandment Rumors Circulate – On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence confirmed that discussions have begun on disbanding the coronavirus task force. Pence confirmed that conversations have begun for the task force to complete its work and transition ongoing efforts to take place on an agency-by-agency level. Talks about a transition plan with FEMA are also underway. In response to questions about winding down the task force at a Tuesday evening press conference, President Trump responded that "we can't keep our country closed for the next five years."