Alert: PROPOSED FIFTH ROUND OF COVID-19 RESPONSE

Jay OwenReforming Global Finance, Global Citizen, Latest Headlines

“Ethical Markets supports the intent of this newest legislative initiative in the US Congress to address the inequities in our society which unfairly impact the heroic first responders, and all  states’ public services and their employees.  All its provisions are important and while we have not yet read this 1800 page $3Trillion  HEROES Bill, we draw it to the attention of all our friends, allies and professional users to examine its important purposes.   This HEROES Bill can address many structural inequities in our society.

~Hazel Henderson, Editor“

 

 

 

 

SUPPORT THE HEROES ACT

The U.S. House could vote as early as Friday on a new $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus package aimed at small businesses, state and local governments, health systems and a range of other initiatives.

Many of our demands in the SAVE OUR ECONOMY NOW campaign by ASBC, AMIBA and other business organizations are addressed in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, including revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program following concerns about the requirements and timeframe of that effort to help small businesses. The bill also creates new steps toward a comprehensive testing, tracing and treatment health plan to combat the virus.

As another major step toward providing the economic relief and public health protocols needed to overcome the impacts of the coronavirus, ASBC is asking business leaders like you to register your support to your members of Congress.

REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE HEROES ACT

The 1,800-page legislation devotes nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial and tribal governments; and establishes a $200 billion “Heroes Fund” to extend hazard pay to essential workers. It also would send a second, larger round of direct payments to individual Americans, up to $6,000 per household.

Unlike the CARES Act passed in late March or the three other coronavirus relief bills passed by Congress in the last two months, there appears to be no bipartisan consensus on this bill.  However, the Paycheck Protection Plan is one area where both parties share their concerns because of the outcry from small business over the program, such as its short, two-month coverage period, which the HEROES Act extends to 24 weeks.

The new draft legislation also strengthens the paid leave and emergency sick leave provisions from the second coronavirus measure, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

The text of The HEROES Act, H.R. 6800, is here. A one pager on the legislation is here. A section-by-section summary is here. A resource on the state and local relief provisions is here.

An explanation of how the HEROES Act impacts small business is here and a section summary of small business-related provisions is here. A summary of provisions related to paid leave and emergency sick leave is here.

 

REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE HEROES ACTDavid Levine
President and Co-founder
American Sustainable Business Council
Derek Peebles
Executive Director
American Independent Business Alliance