Latest on the Next Congressional Pandemic Relief Package and PPP Extension

With the defeat of the Senate’s “skinny” COVID relief package last week, is it generally assumed that Congress will not be able to pass another significant relief package before the election.  There is, however, growing unrest in the House Democrat Caucus about Speaker Pelosi’s unwillingness to consider anything smaller or more targeted than the multi-trillion-dollar HEROES Act.  The conflict in the Democrat caucus surfaced late last week in a Caucus phone call, but the Speaker and Senate Minority Leader Schumer rejected calls for targeted House action.  (If you would like to read a detailed Politico report on the contentious Democrat Caucus call, click HERE.)

While the prospects for another broad bill are dim, a bipartisan group of House members has introduced legislation, the Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act, that would extend the PPP and enact significant improvements to the program.  This new House bill is both bi-partisan and better on measurable substantive issues than the PPP legislation currently being discussed in the Senate, and NAW and our trade association colleagues are actively supporting it.  NAW sent a letter to the bill’s authors and have been in communication with the House Small Business Committee – majority and minority staff – urging their Committee to hold hearings on this new legislation.  You can read NAW’s letter HERE.

Latest on Economic Recovery and Re-Opening the Workplace

As the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to impact the United States economy and businesses across the nation, it can be hard to decipher how new regulations and laws may impact your business.  To help you manage these issues NAW is providing information about reports, webinars and seminars that you may find useful:

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  The revisions made by the new rule clarify workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the FFCRA’s paid leave provisions in light of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York’s August 3, 2020, decision that found portions of the regulations invalid.

To read the latest revisions, click HERE.

From Littler Law Firm:

DOL Revises FFCRA Regulations to Clarify Paid Leave Rules in Wake of New York Federal Court’s Decision

On September 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued revised regulations under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) following a federal court’s decision that invalidated a handful of regulatory provisions interpreting the FFCRA.  Although the DOL was widely expected to address the court decision through revised regulations and/or court action, these new regulations throw additional curveballs for employers already struggling to comply with extensive COVID-19-related legislation. 

To read the full story, click HERE.

U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-Related Citations

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. for Failing to Protect Employees from Coronavirus – OSHA has cited Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus.
• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System for Failing to Protect Employees from the Coronavirus – OSHA has cited Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System in Shreveport, Louisiana, for failing to ensure employees wore proper protective equipment.
• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Hackensack Meridian Health in North Bergen, New Jersey, For Failing to Protect Employees from Coronavirus – OSHA has cited Hackensack Meridian Health Residential Care Inc. OSHA issued two serious citations and one other-than-serious violation for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at its North Bergen, New Jersey, facility.
• U.S. Department of Labor Cites JBS Foods Inc. for Failing to Protect Employees from Exposure to the Coronavirus – Based on a coronavirus-related inspection, OSHA cited the company for a violation of the general duty clause for failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause death or serious harm.
• U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Hospital For Failing to Protect Workers from the Coronavirus – OSHA has cited CarePlus Bergen Inc., doing business as Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, for violating respiratory protection standards at its Paramus, New Jersey, location. 

Stateside Associates publishes a daily report about State and Local Government responses to the evolving situation. 

To read their latest report, click HERE.

We are also providing a link to a spreadsheet that includes state and local COVID-19 response information provided by MultiState Associates.

To view their spreadsheet, click HERE.

 Jade West, Chief Government Relations Officer

Blake Adami, Vice President-Government Relations

Seth Waugh, Associate Vice President-Government Relations

National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

The above information and links to other information has been prepared by NAW for the general information of NAW members.  It is not intended to, and does not, provide tax, legal or professional advice concerning any specific matter.  You should not act on the information without first obtaining professional advice and counsel.