Latest on the Next Congressional Pandemic Relief Package and PPP Extension

Stopgap funding legislation to avert a government shutdown is currently waiting on action in the Senate.  The continuing resolution (CR), which would keep the government funded through December 11th, easily passed the House on Tuesday after Democrats and Republicans hammered out a deal to include funding for nutrition assistance and trade relief for farmers.  According to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, the Senate will hold a procedural vote on the House passed CR this afternoon and a final vote will be held next Tuesday night.

Absent from the CR is the extension of several programs created by the CARES Act, which also expire at the end of the month.  NAW and our allies continue to push Congress for action on PPP expansion, liability protection and an end to the $600 pandemic UI benefit.  Any possible extension of these programs is expected to be included in the next round of coronavirus relief, which has been mired for weeks in partisan politics.  Few on Capitol Hill expect a deal is possible before both the House and Senate leave town next week to campaign before the November election. 

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:

From Reed Smith Law Firm:

DOL doubles-down on FFCRA rules (but amends others) in response to federal court decision

On September 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new administrative rule concerning the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), a federal law that provides two forms of COVID-19-related paid time off to employees of businesses with fewer than 500 employees.  The rule comes just over a month after a New York … Continue Reading

From Reed Smith Law Firm:

DOL issues new final rule and updated guidance for employers who use the fluctuating workweek method to calculate overtime

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule explaining that bonuses and other incentive payments—paid in addition to an employee’s weekly salary—are compatible with the fluctuating workweek (FWW) method of calculating overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  The final rule went into effect on August 7, 2020 … Continue Reading

From Littler Law Firm:

Bouncing Back: A List of Statewide Return to Work Protocols

Government officials across the country are easing up on stringent business closures.  Our chart provides links to re-opening plans and orders that have been issued thus far, at the statewide level.  To read the full article, click HERE.

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.

Unrelated to COVID-19

Distributors: Take our Distributor Growth Potential, Readiness and Opinions on AI survey

What will be the impact of AI on distributor sales and operations?  While AI hasn't transformed distribution yet, the change is coming soon. Integral to research being done by the NAW Institute is hearing directly from distributor executives.  Will you please spare 5-10 minutes to help ensure that we get the most accurate data to inform this research? All individual answers will be kept confidential. In return for your time, we'll send you benchmark data on your AI readiness, and an AI opportunity analysis upon your request. Take the survey.

"How Technology Will Transform Wholesale Distribution" - 7 reports and 7 webinars in 7 months

Are you ready for the technology that is transforming distribution?  With the influx of new competitors and new technologies, changes are happening at warp speed.  In this NAW Institute series of seven research reports and seven accompanying webinars in seven months, distribution expert Ian Heller will help you to gain the intelligence you need to formulate new strategies and ensure that your company thrives through this era of technology transformation. Get started!

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.