Key Points -
The anticipated zero draft of the WHO’s Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord was released on February 1. This process will intertwine heavily with the renegotiations of the 2005 IHRs....more
On February 1, the USITC formally announced the opening of its investigation into the merits of expanding the TRIPS Waiver to diagnostics and treatments. The investigation was initially requested by USTR, who had been leading...more
Key Points -
On December 6, days before a deadline for WTO members to decide whether to expand the TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 vaccines to cover COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics as well, the Office of the USTR...more
12/9/2022
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
International Trade Commission (ITC) ,
Onshoring ,
Patents ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Pharmaceutical Patents ,
Prescription Drugs ,
TRIPS Agreement ,
Vaccinations ,
Waivers ,
WTO
On Wednesday, March 10, the House passed the Senate-approved version of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, on a 220-211 vote (title-by-title summary available here). No Republicans supported the bill, and one...more
As Senators-elect Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are sworn-in after certification of the Georgia elections, Democrats are poised to assume the majority in the Senate, which, along with their control of the White...more
1/18/2021
/ Antitrust Provisions ,
Biden Administration ,
Budget Reconciliation ,
Climate Change ,
Congressional Investigations & Hearings ,
Congressional Review Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Data Security ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Members of Congress ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Supply Chain ,
Tax Reform ,
Telecommunications
Former Vice President Joe Biden has been elected to serve as the 46th President of the United States, crossing the 270 electoral vote threshold on Saturday, November 7, with a victory in Pennsylvania. His running mate, Sen....more
11/12/2020
/ Appropriations Bill ,
Biden Administration ,
Continuing Resolution ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Election Results ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Joe Biden ,
Kamala Harris ,
Lame Duck Session ,
Leadership ,
Legislative Agendas ,
NDAA ,
Political Campaigns ,
Political Candidates ,
Presidential Elections ,
Regulatory Agenda
With Introduction of HEALS Act, Bipartisan Negotiations on Phase 4 Begin in Earnest: An Analysis of the House and Senate Positions -
Senate Republicans on Monday unveiled their next COVID-19 response legislation in the...more
7/29/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Economic Downturn ,
Federal Funding ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Relief Measures ,
School Districts ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Virus Testing
[co-authors: Alex Monié, Policy Advisor and Gabriel Harrison, Public Policy Specialist]
The annual “must-pass” defense authorization legislation contains provisions to address supply chain domestication in light of the...more
7/24/2020
/ Aviation Industry ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Defense Sector ,
Department of Defense (DOD) ,
Energy Sector ,
Federal Contractors ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Medical Supplies ,
Minerals ,
National Security ,
NDAA ,
Rare Earth Metals ,
Supply Chain ,
Technology Sector ,
Telecommunications ,
Trade Relations ,
Trump Administration ,
Wireless Technology
The legislative calendar continues to march forward as members of Congress adapt to their new work environments and routines. With the House and Senate both in session this week, Senate Republicans plan to roll out their...more
7/22/2020
/ 5G Network ,
CARES Act ,
China ,
Comment Period ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Data Privacy ,
Emerging Technology Companies ,
EU ,
FCC ,
Filing Requirements ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Income Taxes ,
Medical Supplies ,
NDAA ,
PFAS ,
Public Comment ,
Supply Chain ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Planning ,
Telecommunications ,
Trade Policy ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
WTO
The post-Memorial Day summer session has begun in Washington with the House and Senate facing a similar to-do list but with different approaches and philosophies. The main items on the summer agenda include the Phase 4...more
6/5/2020
/ Appropriation ,
CARES Act ,
Contact Tracing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Executive Orders ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) ,
Flood Insurance ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Loan Forgiveness ,
NDAA ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Works ,
Section 230 ,
Small Business ,
State and Local Government ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
WRDA
Leaders of Small Business Committee Reach Consensus on Bill to Extend PPP Loan Deadline, Senate Fails to Clear Measure by Unanimous Consent as Phase 4 Negotiations Likely to Dominate June -
Bipartisan leaders of the Senate...more
5/26/2020
/ Agricultural Sector ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Agriculture ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Executive Orders ,
Farm Workers ,
Farms ,
Federal Funding ,
Federal Reserve ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Small Business ,
Small Business Loans ,
Supply Chain ,
Trump Administration ,
USDA
House Democrats Unveil Phase 4 Proposal – the HEROES Act -
House Democrats today unveiled H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. The approximately $3 trillion proposal, which...more
5/13/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Federal Funding ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Liability ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
Trump Administration ,
Virus Testing
Senate Elevates Bipartisan Calls for Revisions to Paycheck Protection Program -
This week Senate Republicans and Democrats have underscored the need for a number of changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)...more
5/8/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Loan Forgiveness ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Small Business ,
U.S. Treasury
Federal Reserve Board Announces Expanded Scope and Eligibility for the Main Street Lending Program -
The Federal Reserve Board unveiled plans yesterday to expand the scope and eligibility for the Main Street Lending...more
5/1/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Data Privacy ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health and Safety ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Main Street Lending Programs ,
New Guidance ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Trump Administration ,
Unemployment Benefits
White House Unveils Testing Blueprint, Senate Slated to Return Monday, House Return Uncertain -
President Trump unveiled the Administration’s blueprint for state testing plans and rapid response programs on Monday,...more
4/29/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Relief Measures ,
State of Emergency ,
Trump Administration
House Passes $484 Billion Relief Package -
Today, the House of Representatives passed a $484 billion economic relief package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care...more
4/24/2020
/ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
FDIC ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health and Safety ,
New Legislation ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
State and Local Government ,
Trump Administration ,
U.S. Treasury
Congress, Administration Reach $484 Billion Deal for Phase 3.5 -
Yesterday, congressional Democrats and Republicans reached a $484 billion deal with the Trump Administration for “Phase 3.5” of the coronavirus response to,...more
4/22/2020
/ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Medical Testing ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
State and Local Government ,
Trump Administration ,
U.S. Treasury
President Trump Unveils Framework for “Opening Up America Again” -
President Trump yesterday provided recommendations to governors for reopening parts of the U.S. economy. The guidance, dubbed “Opening Up America Again,”...more
4/17/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Reserve ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
Trump Administration ,
U.S. Treasury
Congress Fails to Reach Agreement on Additional Dollars for Small Business and Hospitals; Agencies Act to Provide CARES Act Funding to Key Sectors -
Congressional negotiators failed to reach agreement yesterday on adding...more
4/14/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Federal Loans ,
Federal Reserve ,
Hospitals ,
Main Street Lending Programs ,
Relief Measures ,
Small Business ,
State and Local Government ,
U.S. Treasury
Congress, Administration Call for Additional Emergency Coronavirus Relief – Differences Remain -
In coordination with congressional Republican leadership (and with little advance notice to their Democratic counterparts),...more
4/13/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Economic Injury Disaster Loans ,
Federal Loans ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
SBA Lending Programs ,
Small Business ,
Trump Administration
Pelosi and McConnell Both Look to Bipartisan Phase 4 Legislation -
Congress now likely remains adjourned until April 20 for the safety of both members and congressional staff, but discussions have already begun on a Phase...more
4/9/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Energy Sector ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Interim Final Rules (IFR) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Oil & Gas ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Petroleum ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
Small Business
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Congress has passed three major pieces of legislation to provide relief to families and the U.S. economy. On March 6, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus...more
Treasury Releases Details of Key CARES Act Loan Programs; Infrastructure Takes Center Stage in Phase 4 Relief Package -
Shortly after Phase 3 of the Coronavirus response concluded on Friday, March 27... the U.S....more
On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate released final text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (H.R. 748) to provide emergency economic assistance to those affected by the novel coronavirus...more
3/30/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Retention ,
Federal Taxes ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Income Taxes ,
IRS ,
Net Operating Losses ,
Payroll Taxes ,
Tax Code ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Deductions ,
Tax Relief
Early Wednesday morning, Senate and White House negotiators announced they had reached a deal on a $2 trillion Phase 3 economic stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic—the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic...more