On Tuesday, President Joe Biden gave his first State of the Union address and commented on the country’s status regarding COVID-19. The President’s remarks on the virus come as the nation has seen a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases and positive tests. “Thanks to the progress we have made in the past year, COVID-19 no longer need control our lives,” said Biden. The White House followed the President’s speech by releasing a new plan for the COVID-19 pandemic. The 96-page plan highlights four main goals: 1) Protect against and treat, COVID-19; 2) Prepare for new variants; 3) Prevent economic and educational shutdowns; 4) Continue to lead the effort to vaccinate the world and save lives. The deputy White House COVID-19 response coordinator, Natalie Quillian, said of the plan, “I think we’re very cleareyed that a new variant could come. The one thing that’s clear in the last year is how unpredictable this virus is.” One of the new features of the plan is a “test to treat” model, a system allowing for those infected by COVID-19 to receive on the spot treatment at no cost.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance on masking and social distancing on Friday. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the guidance change comes as the risk of severe disease is lower because of the rate of vaccinations. “We’re in a stronger place today as a nation with more tools to protect ourselves,” she said. The guidance suggests that 70 percent of Americans are now able to stop wearing masks and no longer need to social distance. Recently, several states have lifted statewide mask mandates. The guidance introduces a new three-tiered system for classifying the risk of COVID-19 at the local level. Half of the nation’s counties (accounting for 70 percent of the country’s population) fall in the low or medium risk for the virus, allowing for the removal of masks. The CDC also reports an estimated 140 million infections of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the U.S. The CDC’s estimated number comes from a study identifying 72,000 samples from December to January, even though the U.S. reports 74.3 million cases as of January 31.
Capitol Hill
The White House officially asked Congress to approve another $22.5 billion in funding for the federal government’s COVID response efforts. According to Punchbowl News, “sources familiar with the situation said this money is needed immediately to pay for programs during the next few days and weeks. All funding previously approved by Congress – including the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan – has run out. Without additional money, several important government efforts, such as free Covid testing for the uninsured, will end quickly, the sources added.” Shalanda Young, the Acting Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, made the request in a letter sent to Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Young wants the COVID funding request to be included in the massive $1.5 trillion FY 2022 omnibus package that House and Senate appropriators are putting together right now. Government funding runs out on Friday, March 11. Party leaders in both the House and Senate hope to have the omnibus passed by that date.
However, getting congressional approval for the additional COVID money is going to be a challenge. Leadership aides in both parties say it will be a tough lift. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and 35 other Senate Republicans want a “full accounting” of the $6 trillion already approved by Congress to respond to the pandemic. Roughly $5 billion of the proposed new COVID funding would go toward global vaccination efforts, while the remainder would be used by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for testing, oral antiviral treatments, monoclonal antibodies, and research on new vaccines. Senior Senate Republicans, including Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL), say they do not support the Biden Administration’s request for another $22.5 billion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed, by a vote of 49-44, a disapproval resolution (S. J. Res. 32) under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which would nullify the Biden Administration’s November 5, 2021 interim final rule requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers at providers that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. With Democrats controlling the House, it is very unlikely to pass in the lower chamber (assuming it receives a vote there). On Thursday afternoon, the Senate will vote on another CRA disapproval resolution (S. J. Res. 38), which would terminate the national emergency first declared by former President Trump on March 13, 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and extended by President Biden first on March 1, 2021 and again beyond March 1, 2022.
On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Reform Committee held a hearing titled “From Recession to Recovery: Examining the Impact of the American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.” The hearing examined “the contributions of the [American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal] Recovery Funds to record GDP growth, historically low unemployment, and healthier communities emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, including a review of projects supported by the Recovery Funds that are improving communities across the country.” Witnesses included Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and officials representing the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties. House Republicans on the Committee called out what they described as Democrats’ refusal to impose guardrails on the $350 billion in ARPA funds and blamed the flood of federal funds as the reason for the historically high inflation rate. Committee Democrats pushed back, arguing the stimulus spending has led to a stronger, quicker economic recovery and helped the U.S. avoid a double-dip recession.
Administration
President Biden announced in his State of the Union that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 at a pharmacy will be able to receive free antiviral treatments immediately – the “Test to Treat” initiative.
President Biden signed a memorandum extending the FEMA 100% federal cost-share for Public Assistance Category B activities through July 1, 2022.
The IRS updated its FAQ on the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. Among the updates, IRS noted that individuals who did not qualify for, or did not receive, the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payment may be eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 2021 tax year information.
Treasury released demographic data showing that funds delivered to millions of households through its Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program are reaching underserved and vulnerable communities. Treasury reported over 80% of ERA assistance was delivered to very low-income households (those earning 50% of area median income and below) in 2021.
The FCC committed over $86 million in the 10th wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund program support. This latest round of funding will support over 240,000 students and provide funding for over 350 schools, 29 libraries and 8 consortia, which are approved to receive over 239,000 connected devices and over 96,000 broadband connections.
CDC reports people from all major racial and ethnic minority population groups in the United States report experiencing more COVID-19–related discrimination than white adults, a new study shows. COVID-19-related discrimination includes experiences of being threatened or harassed based on someone’s perception of another having COVID-19.
The Department of Education released a new fact sheet highlighting ways states and school districts are using American Rescue Plan funds to reengage students and enhance academic learning by expanding career and technical education (CTE) opportunities.
The Department of Labor announced a $45 million funding availability to help people in marginalized and underrepresented populations overcome barriers to access career and technical education programs that can help connect them with good-paying jobs.
A federal jury convicted a Massachusetts man for submitting fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $13 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the CARES Act.
|
The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is significantly less effective in children aged 5 to 11 than its older kids, a new study found, raising questions about the correct dose to give to the young. The study from researchers at the New York State Department of Health found that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection among children 5 to 11 declined from 68 percent to just 12 percent over the period of December 13 to January 30. Effectiveness was higher for those aged 12 to 17, declining from 66 percent to 51 percent over the same period. Children under 12 receive a dose that is one-third the size given to those 12 and up, which could explain the drop in effectiveness. The study notes that effectiveness for children aged 5 to 11 was better against severe disease and that vaccination is still recommended.
The seven leading organizations that represent state and local governments – the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, and National League of Cities –sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to include the bipartisan State, Local Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act (S. 3011/H.R.5735) in the omnibus appropriations package for the 2022 fiscal year. The groups are calling for more flexibility in how they can invest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, allowing critical aid to be directed to infrastructure and disaster relief.
Federal health officials, experts, and vaccine makers are preparing for a potential fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot to protect against whatever variant may appear next. It is not yet clear whether another booster shot will be needed, but if it is there are more questions around who should receive one and what kind of shot would be most effective. Fourth doses are already authorized for immunocompromised people, however for most people, data suggests that a single booster shot offers strong protection against severe disease, including the Omicron variant, as reported by Axios.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA released a statement on the federal transportation mask mandate, which is in place through March 18, 2022. The Association noted the Airlines for America (AFA) is divided on supporting an extension of the mandate, however, they encouraged that any decision made include Flight Attendants as they are charged with managing the decision while in the air. The Association confirmed that they have not taken a stance on extending the mask policy.
The American Trucking Association (ATA) will be partnering with the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Labor for the Biden Administration’s 90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge as a route to get more trained truckers on the road in good-paying jobs. The ATA said it will push its national Registered Apprenticeship Program across its employer members to help expand access to earn-as-you-learn training for workers that will ultimately strengthen the supply chain while expanding the economy.
|
|
Webinars, Events and Resources |
IIJA Implementation Series: Broadband
U.S. Conference of Mayors
March 8, 2:00 PM ET
CRS Reports
|
|
