March 20, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
 
This week in Washington, legislators continue to focus their attention on the Coronavirus global pandemic through legislation. Confirmed cases continue to increase both globally and within the U.S.
Coronavirus Response

Congress has been busy passing legislation to respond to the growing threat of the coronavirus pandemic. As of this writing, two bills have been passed providing much needed aid, particularly for workers, and sick and vulnerable low-income persons. A third bill is currently being negotiated. 

Congress passed H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act  and it became law on March 6, 2020. The legislation provides $8.3 billion in funding to fight the coronavirus with $7.76 billion to agencies combating the coronavirus and authorizes another $500 million in waivers for Medicare telehealth restrictions, bringing the total figure greenlighted under the bill up to $8.3 billion. Included within that is $2.2 billion to help federal, state and local public health agencies prepare for and respond to the coronavirus, including funds for lab testing, infection control and tracking individuals who might have had contact with infected people.

Congress also passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and it became law on March 18, 2020. Congress made technical changes to paid medical leave and public health emergency medical leave exempting employers with 500 employees or more and adding provisions limiting the cost for small businesses. The bill also expands nutrition assistance and anti-hunger programs for students and seniors, and boosts unemployment assistance for displaced workers. The measure ensures that testing related to the coronavirus is provided at no cost for individuals receiving care through Medicare, Medicaid, military health care programs and TRICARE (veterans). The package comes on the heels of President Trump's declaration of a national emergency that will provide up to $50 billion for states to respond to the coronavirus.

Congressional leadership and the White House are currently negotiating a third coronavirus package to provide fiscal stimulus to support various sectors of the economy, back loans for small businesses, and cut checks to Americans. Observers expect the third coronavirus package to be finalized by the end of this weekend. 

Immigration

A number of immigration policy changes occurred this week. Notably, ICE announced it would suspend most immigration enforcement during the coronavirus global pandemic. Catholic partners submitted a letter to DHS leadership urging DHS to remove barriers to healthcare for immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

CCUSA advocated for Congressional leadership and House and Senate Appropriators to increase funding to $250 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program in COVID-19 legislation.

CCUSA Advocates for Nonprofit Support

CCUSA joined other national charities and nonprofits in advocating for a $60 billion infusion of support to help the most vulnerable. The coronavirus impact will undoubtedly result in a contraction in contributions and other sources of revenue; the lifeblood of many charitable organizations who are frontline responders in providing food, shelter, medical services and other critical community services to those in need. Without dramatic and immediate financial and programmatic backstop from the federal government, America's charitable nonprofits and the people we serve will face a precipitous decline in mission services at a time when our efforts are needed like never before. 

In an effort to keep everyone informed of the latest COVID-19 information and its impact, CCUSA has created a dedicated page highlighting the latest information on COVID-19 from our national office and from Catholic Charities agencies across the network. Check out the news, advocacy efforts and stories from our ministry, along with general guidance from the federal government. You can access the page here.

Faith and the Common Good

CCUSA's Sister Donna Markham shared this prayer with staff and the network as a prayerful response to the coronavirus pandemic.  
  Trivia

What inspired the vaccine against smallpox?
Please send your answers to [email protected]

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