Lawmakers Propose Measures to Curb Spread of Virus in Federal Facilities
Representatives Ted Budd (R-NC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and John Larson (D-CT) recently introduced the Healthy Skies Act, which would require TSA employees to check the temperature of fliers before they are allowed through security. As federal agencies create reopening plans for their employees, there is pressure on lawmakers to ensure that they do so safely and efficiently. For federal facilities that are open to the public like airports and postal offices, this task is high priority since there is close interaction between employees and members of the public.
Lawmakers Express Concern Over Reopening Plans for Federal Employees
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) have issued a letter to the acting directors of the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget expressing opposition to plans to require many federal employees in the national capital region to return to their offices.
Lawmakers Introduce Financial Relief Package for U.S. Postal Service
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act to provide USPS with up to $25 billion to cover revenue lost and operational expenses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation has earned the support of postal unions, who have long expressed a need to fund the Postal Service during the pandemic.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Amendment Combatting Deepfakes in FY 2021 NDAA
Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes trillions in government programs, is seen as a ‘must pass’ piece of legislation to which lawmakers can add various amendments relating to military and civilian personnel matters. Last week, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Deepfake Report Act as an amendment to the Senate’s FY 2021 NDAA.
Senate Committee Hosts Hearing on National Commission Civil Service Reform Recommendations
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing today on the recommendations for reforming the civil service put forth by the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.
Senators Introduce Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act
A group of Democratic Senators has introduced the Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act to enhance oversight, accountability, and transparency related to the federal government’s COVID-19 response. The legislation has gained the support of 57 organizations, 8 Senate original co-sponsors and 18 House co-sponsors.
Democrats Introduce Policing Reform Package with Provisions Impacting Federal Law Enforcement
Congressional Democrats introduced a legislative package this week to address policing issues as law enforcement accountability makes national headlines. The 135-page package entitled the Justice in Policing Act includes a host of changes to federal and state law enforcement practices and increases federal oversight over state and local police departments.
Bipartisan Group Sends Letter on Handling National Debt
A letter from Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Jody Arrington (R-TX), signed by an additional 58 members of Congress, expresses a commitment to continuing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn impacting millions of Americans but raises concern regarding the increases in national debt. The lawmakers urge leadership to include provisions for future budget reforms in any upcoming pandemic response legislation.
Senate Committee Advances Cyber Innovation Legislation
The Senate Commerce Committee voted to unanimously advance a bill that would offer cash and non-cash prizes for cybersecurity innovations.
Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expedite Hiring of Pandemic Recovery Watchdog
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced legislation to boost oversight of trillions of dollars in taxpayer funded pandemic relief by helping the special watchdog quickly onboard oversight staff. The Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR) Expedited Hiring Authority Act allows the SIGPR to bypass the current government hiring process to allow the office to quickly ramp up oversight operations.
Legislation Introduced to Protect Annual Leave Benefits for Frontline Employees
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) has introduced the Federal Frontline Worker Leave Protection Act to ensure that employees responding to the COVID-19 pandemic do not lose annual leave due to an inability to take time off. The legislation is currently co-sponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD).
Rep. Wexton Introduces Legislation to Utilize Agency Collaboration to Combat Domestic Violence During COVID-19
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) has introduced legislation to require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop guidance and training for law enforcement to identify and combat domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers Seek to Codify Interagency Cooperation on the Coronavirus
Lawmakers are seeking to codify into law cooperation between federal agencies to support the scientific community’s efforts to track, research, and prevent the spread of diseases like coronavirus. The Computing Opportunities to Vanquish Infectious Diseases Research Act of 2020 (COVID Research Act) authorizes a White House interagency working group and directs the group to develop a national strategy to address the disease outbreak, among other priorities.
Senate Passes Deal to Replenish Small Business Loan Program
The White House and Senate and House Leadership indicate that the groups have reached a deal to replenish the loan program for small businesses that has been depleted during the coronavirus response. The deal totals more than $480 billion for various funding needs for healthcare and loan programs and was passed in the Senate by voice vote today.
House Oversight Democrats Release Priority List for Feds During Coronavirus Response
Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, Rep. Gerry Connolly, wrote a letter to House and Senate leadership outlining the priority items needed for federal employees to further facilitate the coronavirus response.
Congress Looks to Modernization to Maintain Social Distancing
In a note to House member offices Monday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the introduction of electronic submission of floor documents in an effort to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. The House also received praise from several stakeholders regarding the chamber’s passage of the Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization (MODCOM) Resolution.
House Members Introduce Stimulus Package with Federal Workforce Provisions
A group of House Democrats have introduced a stimulus package that includes key provisions for federal employees to protect against the coronavirus. It has come under scrutiny by some House Republicans for also including federal workforce provisions seen as irrelevant to the issues surrounding the pandemic.
Lawmakers Work with Agencies to Ensure Adequate Employee, Public Precautions Met
Lawmakers across the legislative branch have sent letters to the executive branch agencies in an attempt to gain more information and provide guidance on how the agencies should respond to the coronavirus pandemic.