Details of the Senate leadership’s priorities for the next COVID-19 relief package are expected to be released throughout the next several days, setting the stage for negotiations with House leadership throughout next week.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. Congress is entering into negotiations over the content of the next urgently-needed major relief package.
Throughout July, House and Senate negotiators will shape a new approach to the expiring Paycheck Protection Program and pandemic unemployment benefits, and will consider enhanced charitable giving incentives, dedicated stimulus funding, and other policies to support workers, employers, and communities.
Policy Activity Ramping Up in the Weeks Ahead; Ask Your Senator to Cosponsor Universal Charitable Deduction Bill; League Calls for Improvements to Nonprofit Main Street Lending Program; The Latest Paycheck Protection Program Updates and League Webinar; Trump Administration Extends and Expands Certain Immigration Restrictions through 2020; Policy Updates for Nonprofits Self-Insuring for Unemployment Benefits
Some good news, as the League and orchestras join the broader nonprofit sector in seeking increased incentives for the charitable giving that supports communities nationwide: Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Lee (R-UT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced the bipartisan Universal Giving Pandemic Response Act (S. 4032) (PDF) to expand the current above-the-line deduction for charitable giving made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March.
This week the President announced an extension through December of his executive order from late April that had, at that time, suspended new immigration for 60 days. Effective immediately, individuals outside the United States who do not currently have an immigrant visa or official travel document other than a visa will be barred entry into the U.S. through December 31, 2020 “and may be continued as necessary” along with the possibility of “any modifications as may be necessary.”
SBA Issues PPP Flexibility Rules! Reminder: Loan Application Deadline June 30; Arts Education Is Essential – Take Local Action; SBA Re-Opens Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for New Applicants; Nonprofit Main Street Lending Program Proposed
Late last month, the League joined a group of more than 50 national organizations that collaborated to issue a statement of support for arts education particularly in the context of COVID-19.
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Approved by Congress; PPP Loan Forgiveness Guidelines Released; League Conference PPP Session Tomorrow, June 5
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.