The US Department of Defense has announced a new funding opportunity related to the COVID-19 national emergency. The Newton Award for Transformative Ideas During the COVID-19 Pandemic is now available on grants.gov, with proposals due May 15th. See this link.
News and updates
Administration Seeks to Stop Immigration via Executive Order
In a late night Tweet Monday, President Trump announced that he would be issuing an executive order suspending immigration to the United States. Details of the executive order, including what counts as “immigration” under this executive order, are not available at this point.
Additional information about the development is available here in The New York Times, the Washington Post, and Politico.
Senate Close to Taking Up Supplement to CARES Act
The Senate is scheduled to come into session at 4 PM ET today, signaling that the Administration and Congressional Democrats have almost finalized a deal on a supplement package to “Phase 3,” the CARES Act. The legislation that was being hammered out overnight is approximately $500 billion in total and was prompted primarily by the program designed to help small businesses in the CARES Act running out of money.
This new bill includes an infusion of approximately $300 billion for the small business program and includes, among other provisions, additional funds for hospitals and to expand testing capabilities. While there is no new funding for states and localities, it does allow for more flexibility for those entities to use the $150 billion they received in CARES.
Anticipating Senate passage, the House leadership has alerted House members that a vote could take place on the measure on Thursday, allowing enough time for them to get back to D.C. Like the vote on the CARES Act, which could not be passed by “unanimous consent” because of an objection, a recorded vote on this measure may be needed as well.
Read more about the developments in the Washington Post and here in Politico.
Even with this package being finalized, conversations about a “Phase 4” bill are still taking place.
What We’re Reading this Week (April 13th-17th, 2020)
Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.
COVID-19: Stimulus checks are being sent, President Trump issues guidance to states, American protesters demand reopening of businesses, China increases death toll number by 50%, and worldwide cases show no sign of reprieve. Live updates at CNN.
NASA to Launch Astronauts from US Soil: For the first time since the 2011 termination of the Space Shuttle Program, NASA will launch astronauts into space from US soil. The launch is scheduled for May 27th at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Full story here.
Brian Dennehy: Actor Brian Dennehy passed away from natural causes at age 81. Full story at Washington Post.
2022 FIFA World Cup: Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said the US could alternatively host the 2022 World Cup. This comes amid new allegations that Qatar bribed officials to be the 2022 host. Full story at ESPN.
World Press Photo Winner: An image by AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba has won the World Press Photo contest for 2020. The image depicts a young Sudanese protester reciting poetry during the uprisings which overthrew President Omar Al-Bashir. More at BBC.
Brexit: The UK has confirmed they will not allow any delay in exiting from the EU despite the current pandemic. Read at Politico.
What We’re Reading this Week (April 6th-10th, 2020)
Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.
COVID-19: Modeling shows the US may be at the “peak” of the pandemic, stay at home orders remain in effect, new cases continue to climb daily, and some countries refuse to lockdown. Live updates at CNN.
Sanders Ends Presidential Run: Senator Bernie Sanders ended his campaign to be the Democratic nominee for President. Former Vice President Joe Biden is the remaining Democratic candidate. See the Washington Post.
Barr Supports Removal of IC Inspector General: US Attorney General William Barr came out in public support of President Trump’s decision to fire Michael Atkinson, formerly the Inspector General for the Intelligence Community. Atkinson had decided to take to Congress the whistleblower report detailing a phone conversation between Trump and the Ukrainian President. The whistelblower report resulted in President Trump being impeached. More at CBS.
Former Marine on Trial in Moscow: Paul Whelan, a former marine who has been detained in Russia for over fifteen months, is set to stand trial for espionage despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown of Moscow. Whelan is accused of accepting a flashdrive containing Russian state secrets while on a personal trip in 2018. His family has discussed the possibility of a prisoner swap between the US and Russia. Full story at Washington Post.
Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Texas: A federal appeals court has ruled that Texas’ Executive Order classifying abortion access as “non-essential” during COVID-19 is constitutional. Planned Parenthood, a plaintiff in the case, has stated they plan to take the case to the Supreme Court. More at CNN.