COVID-19 Update 04/21/2020
The New Democrat Coalition (NDC) hopes you and your families are staying safe and healthy. Our thoughts go out to all Americans and their families who have been impacted by this pandemic.
Congress’s top priority must be to ensure the American people have access to the resources and assistance they need during these difficult times. The NDC has been working hard to respond to the public health emergency and mitigate the economic disruptions being felt throughout the nation by American families, workers, and small businesses.
Last month, the NDC was the first House ideological caucus to publicly release a comprehensive set of recommendations to help end the pandemic and mitigate the severe economic disruptions it has caused. New Dem Members supported the CARES Act, comprehensive legislation to provide unprecedented emergency funding to help stop the pandemic, give immediate assistance to families and impacted businesses, and direct support to local and state governments and health care providers who are on the frontlines. A significant majority of the NDC’s policy recommendations were included in the final package.
Following House passage of the CARES Act, the NDC Leadership team sent a letter to House Democratic Leadership and Committee Chairs urging them to focus continued COVID-19 response packages on targeted, timely, and temporary policies. In addition to the priorities laid out in NDC’s initial recommendations, NDC is focusing on the inclusion of three core priorities: building automatic stabilizers into federal assistance programs so additional support can be deployed quickly, implementing a science- and evidence-based National Recovery Strategy to safely reopen communities at the appropriate time, and ensuring health care stability and affordability.
Every step of the way, the Members of the New Democrat Coalition have been working to advance bold and innovative policy responses to the challenges facing Americans throughout the nation.
More on what New Dems have been up to below.
COALITION HIGHLIGHTS
Roll Call – These Democrats Want Automatic Triggers to Keep Coronavirus Relief Flowing
The NDC is pushing for the implementation of automatic stabilizers into future coronavirus relief packages. Building automatic stabilization triggers into coronavirus assistance programs would enable the rapid disbursement of additional support if economic conditions and/or the pandemic persist or worsen without the need for further Congressional action. “Rather than having Congress play whack-a-mole and stick their fingers in the dike, there is strategic value in building triggers in the system. To me, the problem we’re trying to solve for is how do you create some certainty for people in really uncertain times,” said NDC Chair Derek Kilmer.
NDC Urges House and Committee Leadership to Act
Following House passage of the CARES Act, NDC Leadership Members sent a letter to House Democratic Leadership and Chairs of the Standing House Committees urging them to focus continued coronavirus response packages on targeted, timely, and temporary policies to address the immediate and pressing issues unique to the pandemic and its economic impacts. The NDC reiterated the need for automatic stabilizers, along with a national recovery strategy and promoting long-term health care coverage affordability, to be included in future relief packages to support the nation’s recovery. Read more in The Washington Times, The Olympian, The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald, NewsDay, and Associated Press.
NDC Members Send Letter to NEC Director Urging Administration to Release a Plan for Duty Relief
NDC Vice Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Ron Kind (WI-03), and Gregory Meeks (NY-05) sent a letter to the National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow urging the administration to release a plan for providing extensions of duty payments to provide much needed clarity and economic relief for American manufacturers and workers.
NDC Releases Economic Recommendations to Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic
Last month, the NDC released initial principles and priorities for the continued economic response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These recommendations would help address the public health crisis and growing economic challenges being felt nationwide. To end the pandemic, provide economic support to individuals and businesses, and help mitigate the long-term economic impacts of the coronavirus, the NDC recommended policies to (1) Triage & Respond with immediate action to support public health efforts and to deliver direct assistance, (2) Streamline & Stabilize by reducing barriers to assistance in existing programs and building automatic stabilizers into programs to trigger additional support, and (3) Return to Normal through coordinated stimulus to bring businesses back online and workers back into the labor market when the immediate health crisis subsides. Read the NDC’s economic recommendations.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
COVID-19 Legislation
Kilmer, Dean Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand the Paycheck Protection Program
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) introduced the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Extension Act to significantly expand the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The legislation would ensure every qualified small business is able to access the critical assistance they need to retain their workforce and cover basic operating costs for the full duration of the pandemic.
Shalala Introduces Comprehensive Legislation to Reopen the American Economy
Rep. Donna Shalala (FL-27) introduced the Reopen America Act, legislation to establish a comprehensive, science-based national plan to re-open the U.S. economy through federal-state collaboration while protecting the public health against recurring COVID-19 outbreaks.
Schneider, Craig Introduce Bill to Improve Supply Chain Transparency During Emergencies
Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the Emergency Supply Chain Transparency Act. The legislation would ensure greater accountability of federal agencies and private-sector partners responsible for the distribution of personal protective equipment and other emergency resources under the Defense Protection Act and Stafford Act. Prior to this bill introduction, Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Angie Craig (MN-02), along with 11 New Dem Members, sent a letter to House and Senate Leadership calling for the creation of an emergency COVID-19 medical supply chain authority with statutory authority to oversee the manufacturing and distribution of ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other critical supplies.
Reps. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Joe Morelle (NY-25) introduced the Coronavirus Assistance for States Act to provide additional funding and flexibility for states and tribal governments to adequately protect and care for their residents and help begin economic recovery from COVID-19.
Malinowski Introduces Legislation to Prepare the U.S. for Future Pandemics
Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07) introduced the Providing Protective Equipment Act to ensure that the United States has a properly stocked and maintained Strategic National Stockpile to combat future health crises.
COVID-19 Actions
Kilmer, Bustos Lead Bipartisan Call to Department of Defense and FEMA to Ramp Up Manufacturing
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17), along with 21 New Dem Members, sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of Defense (DOD) and FEMA to ramp up manufacturing capabilities in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In the letter, Members urge the agencies to utilize the full potential of DOD’s manufacturing base to produce much needed PPE, such as masks, face shields, gowns and gloves, and other medical equipment, such as ventilators.
Peters, Craig Introduce Bill to Mitigate Future Spikes in Premiums
NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters (CA-52) and Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the Stop Health Premium Spikes Act, a bill that would help mitigate the drastic health care premium increases expected as a result of the unanticipated surge in medical care costs due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Bera, Axne, Maloney, Soto, Trone Urge House Leadership to Support First Responders’ Mental Health
NDC Leadership Member Ami Bera (CA-07) and Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), Darren Soto (FL-09), and David Trone (MD-06) sent a letter to House Leadership urging for the inclusion of the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act in future coronavirus relief packages. The legislation would establish a grant program to provide training for firefighters and emergency medical service personnel to serve as peer counselors.
Bera, Houlahan, Foster Urge President to Develop a National Testing Strategy
NDC Leadership Member Ami Bera (CA-07), NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Bill Foster (IL-11) sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, urging him to develop and implement a national testing strategy for COVID-19.
DelBene, Beyer Urge House Leadership to Expand Affordable Housing
NDC Vice Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) sent a letter to House Leadership urging them to address the growing affordable housing crisis by expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) in the next COVID-19 response package.
Sewell, Stevens Call for Extension of Automotive Rules of Origin Requirements
NDC Vice Chair Terri A. Sewell (AL-07) and Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11), along with Reps. Joe Cunningham (SC-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), Colin Allred (TX-32), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Andre Carson (IN-07), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20), sent a letter to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer seeking temporary flexibility in entry into force for new automotive Rules of Origin (ROO) requirements under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Sherrill Urges CDC to Establish a Standardized System to Prioritize COVID-19 Tests
NDC Freshman Whip Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) sent a bicameral letter, along with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), urging the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to establish an official coding or labeling system for prioritization of COVID-19 tests.
Bera Calls on Speaker for Urgent Domestic and International Actions to Stop Spread of COVID-19
NDC Leadership Member Ami Bera (CA-07) sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi highlighting the immediate domestic and international actions Congress and the Administration should take to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Pappas Leads Push for Federal Assistance for Chambers of Commerce to Help Small Businesses
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 27 New Dem Members in sending a letter to House Leadership and the Chair and Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee urging for federal assistance to be made available to local chambers of commerce and similar 501(c)6 organizations to ensure they remain financially solvent.
Phillips Leads NDC Members in Protecting American Start-Ups
Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), along with 27 New Dem Members, sent a bipartisan letter calling on the Small Business Administration to update the definition of “small business” to include many of the country’s start-up businesses, many of which are currently unable to access federal resources and assistance.
Malinowski Leads NDC Members in Fighting for Direct Funding for Small Localities
Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), along with 64 New Dem Members, sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi, requesting that future COVID-19 response packages include stabilization funding specifically for localities with populations under 500,000.
NDC Members Urge House Leadership to Protect Homeless Americans
A group of 32 New Dem Members sent a letter to House Leadership calling for the allocation of additional funding to protect homeless populations. The letter requests funding for increases in Emergency Solutions Grants to expand shelter capacity and support rapid re-housing programs; Housing Choice Vouchers to expand housing access to those most vulnerable (seniors, individuals with disabilities and/or underlying medical conditions); and emergency rental assistance funded through contributions to Housing Choice Vouchers, Emergency Solutions Grants, Section 521 Rural Rental Assistance, and the Disaster Housing Assistance Program.
NDC Members Join Bipartisan Effort to Support Small Businesses Beyond PPP Funding
A group of 28 New Dem Members joined a bipartisan letter to Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza calling for additional support for small businesses. The challenges American small businesses face amid the economic downturn goes well beyond funding for the PPP. The letter highlights the crucial need to increase funding and improve the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to support small businesses.
NDC Members Urge HHS to Fight for Long-Term Care Facilities
A group of 23 New Dem Members sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma requesting that the agencies immediately collect and publicly report facility-level data on the number of long-term care residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cárdenas, Veasey Lead Effort to Improve PPP Loan Transparency
Reps. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and Marc Veasey (TX-33), along with 20 New Dem Members, sent a letter to House Leadership urging them to include reporting requirements on the PPP in the next coronavirus response package. Specifically, the letter requests that reporting requirements be included in the bill to allow Congress to track loan applications filed by minority owned businesses, and the number of loans that are approved and denied to minority owned businesses.
Trone Leads Bipartisan Effort to Close Supply Chain Gaps for Critical Medical Supplies
Rep. David Trone (MD-06), along with 20 New Dem Members, sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Alex Azar urging the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guaranteed purchase orders for medical supplies needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Torres Small Leads Effort to Protect Critical Rural-Serving Health Programs
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02), along with 11 New Dems, sent a bipartisan letter urging House Leadership to preserve long-term funding and resources for critical programs serving vulnerable populations and Americans in rural areas as the United States continues to face the COVID-19 public health emergency.
NDC Members Call for Action on Prescription Drug Access and Affordability
Reps. Chris Pappas (NH-02) and Lucy McBath (GA-06) led a group of freshman Members, including Reps. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Jason Crow (CO-06), Angie Craig (MN-02), Harley Rouda (CA-48), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), and Kendra Horn (OK-05), in a letter to House Leadership to make prescription drug access and affordability a top priority in future COVID-19 relief packages.
Lee, Horsford Urge House and Senate Leadership to Include Gaming Small Businesses
Reps. Susie Lee (NV-03) and Steven Horsford (NV-04) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to congressional leadership seeking adjustments to the Small Business Administration’s updated guidelines to the PPP to allow small businesses who generate revenue from legal gaming to be eligible for the program.
Soto Calls for Additional Funding Sources for First Responders
Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza urging them to allow local governments to use resources for state stabilization funds to cover the overtime and hazard pay of first responders.
NDC Members Call on Department of Labor to Help Expedite the Processing of Unemployment Claims
- NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) sent a joint letter to Department of Labor (DOL) to provide additional resources to states to expedite the processing of unemployment claims.
- Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell also sent a letter to DOL urging for immediate assistance in helping state governors streamline unemployment processes.
Schiff, Murphy: Create Coronavirus Commission Now to Review Pandemic Response via USA Today
Reps. Adam Schiff (CA-28) and Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) penned an op-ed addressing the need to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to examine the outbreak and spread, the nation’s preparedness and our government’s collective response, and make recommendations for the future: “As Congress takes up additional legislation to supplement our response to the public health and economic crises facing the country in the weeks to come, we believe that Congress should — on a bipartisan basis — include a provision to establish a Coronavirus Commission. The commission’s work may have to wait, but Congress should put the framework in place now.”
NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) penned an op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader highlighting the need for a coordinated response that takes into account the public health implications of COVID-19, as well as the economic ramifications of our response to this emergency: “We know that more action will be needed. We must bolster the SBA to effectively respond to businesses struggling to survive the economic turmoil. And we need to support the dedicated workers in the New Hampshire Employment Security office who are tirelessly serving thousands of Granite Staters who are struggling to make ends meet.”
Pappas: Supporting NH Small Businesses and Workers via New Hampshire Union Leader
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) penned an op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader addressing the importance of putting aside partisan politics to support small businesses and work to ensure economic recovery: “In this period of social distancing and isolation, people are coming together with common purpose. Congress must continue to do the same. We must ensure our workers, families and small businesses have the tools they need to be resilient. And we must continue to work in a collaborative fashion to hasten the end of this pandemic and allow our Main Street economy to get back on its feet.”
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