Hill Happenings: Negotiations on the Next COVID-19 Bill

Negotiations on the Next COVID-19 Bill The White House and Congressional Democrats have not yet reached an agreement on key issues in a fifth coronavirus package. Last week, Senate Republicans unveiled a $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, called the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act. Congressional Democrats and 20 Republican senators oppose many provisions in the bill. Both sides have stated they may reach a deal by Friday, August 7, which is also when the Senate is set to go on a month-long recess.

Legislative Updates

House Committee Announced Hearing with Postmaster General Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12), the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, announced that the Committee will hold a hearing with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in September. The hearing will address the need for on-time mail delivery during the public health crisis and the upcoming election.

Oversight Committee Chair Denounced Shortening 2020 Census Timeline Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY-12) issued a statement denouncing the Administration’s decision to shorten the timeframe for 2020 Census operations. The statement also announced updates to the H.R.7034, the Fair and Accurate Census Act, which prevents the Administration from rushing to complete the 2020 Census by delaying the delivery of the apportionment data.

Bill to Increase Diversity on CARES Oversight Commission Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the CARES Congressional Oversight Commission Diversity Act. The bill ensures that the communities of color that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic are represented on the CARES Act Congressional Oversight Commission.

GOP Senator Recommended Agencies Extend COVID-19 Relief Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, sent two letters to financial agencies and regulators urging the extension and expansion of existing provisions key to providing relief and economic stability.

Bill to Ensure Proper Oversight of DHS Intelligence Products Representatives Max Rose (D-NY-11) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2) introduced the Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act. The bill strengthens protections against abuses of civil rights by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by restoring vital checks on the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), which is responsible for sharing information with operators and decision-makers to identify threats to the U.S.

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