ISSA Coronavirus Government Response Update—Stimulus on Hold as Lawmakers Debate SCOTUS Replacement

Welcome to the ISSA Coronavirus Government Response Update. This information is intended to keep our members up to date on government affairs related to the cleaning industry and COVID-19. Today’s update touches on another stimulus bill being on hold, ISSA supporting The Businesses Preparing for a Better Tomorrow Act, the uncertainty of a short-term agreement to avert a government shutdown, and more.

Second Stimulus on Hold as Lawmakers Debate Ginsburg Replacement
Members of U.S. Congress headed into the weekend no closer to agreeing on another coronavirus stimulus bill as figures show American consumers are curbing their spending, suggesting that the effects of federal support for the economy are already fading, Newsweek reported. U.S. Senate Republicans and the White House had rejected the House of Representatives Democrats’ US$3 trillion bill. Although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-D) gave a $2.2 trillion marker in August, Senate GOP leaders have not moved from a $650 billion measure that the Democrats recently blocked. Added into the mix now is the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the debate over her succession.

ISSA Supports The Businesses Preparing for a Better Tomorrow Act
ISSA strongly supports legislation recently introduced by U.S. Representative Pete Olson (TX-22) to provide employers with tax incentives to properly train their employees on best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If enacted, The Businesses Preparing for a Better Tomorrow Act (H.R. 8260) would provide a payroll tax credit for expenses used for qualified workplace best practices training associated with protecting employees from COVID-19. “Thank you to Congressman Olson for introducing a bill to provide a payroll tax credit for best practices training expenses associated with protecting employees from COVID-19,” said John Nothdurft, ISSA Director of Government Affairs.

Short-Term Agreement to Avert Government Shutdown Uncertain; Pelosi Tells Mnuchin They Don’t Have Deal
A possible deal on a stopgap spending bill to avert a pre-election government shutdown looked uncertain late Friday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-D) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not come to terms. Two Republican aides familiar with the situation said Pelosi had essentially “backed out” of a deal with Mnuchin that would have traded farm bailout money the White House wants for $2 billion in child nutrition spending Democrats want, according to The Washington Post.

Ohio Governor Signs Bill to Protect against COVID-19 Liability
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed into a law a bill passed earlier this month that protects businesses, schools, and health care providers from lawsuits resulting from COVID-19. Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (22-R) called the bill a major step forward in protecting schools, health care providers, and small businesses during the pandemic, The News-Herald reported. “Ohio’s small businesses and schools are working hard to reopen, bring back employees and safely welcome their customers and students,” Obhof said in a news release. “This legislation helps provide the peace of mind they need to reopen as we work together to rebuild Ohio’s economy.”

Other links of interest

• TAKE ACTION NOW: Tell Your Elected Officials to ‘Return to the Negotiating Table’ to Pass a Cleaning Tax Credit
• Complete This ISSA Survey and Make Your Voice Heard
• Save Your Seat: Cleaning Products – A Regulatory Review
• California Paid Leave Law among Nation’s Broadest
• Unions Eye Long Term as Pandemic Weighs on Members