Act Now: Congress Plans Next COVID-19 Relief Package

May 26, 2020

Congress is working on its fourth package of federal relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be making decisions about policies that will affect orchestras, musicians, and the communities they serve. As discussions unfold throughout June, it’s important to keep your elected officials informed about concerns and losses that are not being addressed and to tell them about orchestras’ unique capacity to support the U.S. economy, uplift the human spirit, and provide lifelong learning.

The League of American Orchestras is working and leading in strategic partnerships with national arts and nonprofit sector leaders to ensure that your voice is added to those influencing the outcome of the next COVID-19 relief package. Our online advocacy campaign can help you reach key decision-makers easily and quickly:

1. Visit our advocacy campaign center to find key talking points and a customizable message to members of Congress.
2. Choose the issues that resonate most for your orchestra, and personalize your message. Our campaign includes more than a dozen topics on which policy conversations are underway. Personalizing is what ensures your message will be read!
3. Share this action alert with your orchestra’s full array of stakeholders.
4. Keep  informed of responses you receive.

You will be adding your voice to those across the arts, culture, and nonprofits sectors seeking ongoing support amid the COVID-19 crisis. The League has led a coalition effort across national arts organizations, rallying to advance a growing slate of Arts & COVID-19 policy requests (PDF), including: 

• Expanded and improved pandemic unemployment benefits, Paycheck Protection Program resources, Economic Injury Disaster Relief, and tax credits
• Support for nonprofits through forgivable Main Street loans, dedicated relief funds, and enhanced incentives for charitable giving
• Pension relief and emergency health care benefits
• Increased emergency relief funding via the National Endowment for the Arts
• Support for arts education and emergency broadband benefits
• Streamlined procedures that will support artist visas during the recovery process
• Full consideration of arts in the next phase of workforce development, and in the infrastructure and preparedness needs that will accompany plans to gather again

Thousands of orchestra advocates have already reached more than 400 members of Congress to date. Even if you have already spoken up, please keep weighing in! Elected officials expect to hear from their stakeholders with frequency, the policy issues are dynamic, and the needs of your community are rapidly changing. Whether dialing into virtual town hall meetings, speaking with members of Congress on the fine points of eligibility for relief, or writing to leaders of key committees to explain what is needed next to sustain musical activity, your advocacy makes a difference.

The League will keep you informed of all policy developments. In the meantime, see our advocacy updates and federal relief resource page for more information.