President Biden delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night. In the speech, the President unveiled his American Families Plan, a $1.8 trillion package of tax credits and domestic priorities including child care, paid family leave, and tuition-free community college that would be offset by $1.5 trillion in new revenues. The American Families Plan represents the second component of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda, the first being the American Jobs Plan, the $2.25 trillion infrastructure proposal released by the White House on March 31.
Both plans are meant to build on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2), which was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 11. The White House said the American Rescue Plan “continues to provide immediate relief to American families and communities. […] But the President knows that we need to do more. It is not enough to restore where we were prior to the pandemic. We need to build a stronger economy that does not leave anyone behind – we need to build back better.”
There is some hope that a bipartisan compromise can be reached on the infrastructure component of the Build Back Better agenda. Staff-level talks started Friday and are continuing this week, according to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The President is also expected to invite lawmakers to the White House next week to discuss the administration’s infrastructure and social priorities.
Last week, Senate Republicans released a counterproposal to President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Their $568 billion plan includes $299 billion for roads and bridges; $61 billion for public transit; $20 billion for rail; $17 billion for ports and inland waterways; $44 billion for airports; $35 billion for drinking water and wastewater; $14 billion for water storage; and $65 billion for broadband. Senate Democrats are divided over the $568 billion infrastructure counteroffer, with some calling it a good starting point for bipartisan talks and others dismissing it as “totally inadequate.” The White House welcomed the proposal. “It’s the beginning of a discussion,” Jen Psaki told reporters.
According to The Hill, a bipartisan group of Senators are working on a possible infrastructure proposal with a more limited focus. A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers also met with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) last week, where they discussed trying to craft a smaller bipartisan plan. This comes after the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled their own list of policy recommendations “to build a strong, successful 21st Century infrastructure network for America.”
Capitol Hill. On April 29, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC) released a Dear Colleague letter to announce the beginning of bipartisan discussions to consider how to better prepare the nation for future public health emergencies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senators announced they intend to work together to develop bipartisan legislation to consider lessons learned during the COVID-19 response, improving the nation’s public health infrastructure and medical preparedness and response programs and capabilities at the local, state, territorial, Tribal, and federal levels. Senators Murray and Burr plan to develop bipartisan, consensus policy proposals in the coming months, with the goal of moving a package through Committee in the fall.
On April 28, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on “Examining Our COVID-19 Response: Using Lessons Learned to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.” The hearing focused on addressing the mental health and substance use disorder crises which have been dramatically worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. In her opening remarks, Chair Murray discussed how people across the country have been struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma due to the pandemic, and cited data showing the U.S. saw the highest number of annual drug overdose deaths last year.
On April 28, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on “The Long Haul: Forging a Path through the Lingering Effects of COVID-19.” The hearing focused on the full impact of “long COVID-related” symptoms, which “require further research to better understand the impact on individuals as well as population health and the identification of how to prevent or treat this rapidly emerging consequence of the pandemic.”
On April 27, the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security held a hearing on “Curbing COVID Cons: Warning Consumers about Pandemic Frauds, Scams, and Swindles.” The hearing examined scams related to COVID-19 and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actions to stop these scams. The hearing raised awareness of ongoing schemes such as identity theft, fake personal protective equipment, fraudulent vaccination claims, and robocalls.
On April 22, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), and 30 House and Senate Republicans sent a letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky questioning the CDC’s rationale in recommending mask wearing for children as young as two years old.
Administration. Treasury and IRS are providing a safe harbor for businesses that received first-round Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans but did not deduct any of the original eligible expenses because they relied on guidance issued before the enactment of tax relief legislation in December of 2020. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, businesses now may claim these deductions even though they received PPP loans to cover original eligible expenses.
HHS announced commitments from national organizations to support Black American outreach and enrollment efforts during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) made available on HealthCare.gov. Black Americans represent 13% of the U.S. population but 16% of the uninsured.
SBA launched a new round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance – called Supplemental Targeted Advances that will provide $5 billion in additional assistance to 1 million small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been most severely affected by the economic effects of the pandemic. SBA also reopened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief. Also, SBA will open registrations on April 30 and open applications on May 3 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
HHS announced the availability of $1 billion for the Health Center Program to support major health facility construction and renovation projects.
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The U.S. Conference of Mayors applauds the Senate passage of S.937, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would require the Justice Department to designate an officer to expedite review of COVID-19 hate crimes and provide guidance to state and local law enforcement agencies on collecting and reporting data on these hate crimes.
The CDC is committed to the resumption of cruise industry passenger operations in the U.S. by mid-summer. “If a ship attests that 98% of its crew and 95% of its passengers are fully vaccinated,” the agency said in a letter to the cruise industry released publicly, that ship may skip simulated voyages and move directly to open water sailing.
Vaccine News
The CDC announced fully vaccinated people can gather or conduct activities outdoors without wearing a mask with the exception of crowded settings and venues.
A new COVID-19 vaccine by Novavax is preparing to file a request for U.S. authorization to become a fourth vaccine to be used in the country. The company received $1.6 billion from the U.S. to develop and manufacture its vaccine. A United Kingdom trial found that Norovax was just as effective as Moderna and Pfizer, but effectiveness fell dramatically against the South African variant of the virus.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said an oral drug for COVID-19 could be ready next year. The oral drug would provide several advantages, primarily eliminating the need to go to the hospital for treatment. Bourla said Pfizer is working on two antivirals, an oral and injectable.
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Webinars, Events and Resources |
Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine in Disparately Impacted Communities
NLC
April 29, 1:00 PM ET
COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Meeting
Department of Health and Human Services
April 30, 2:00 PM ET
CRS Reports of interest:
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