Advocacy News

10.29.20

On September 22, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13950, “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping.” The Executive Order sets forth the policy of the United States “not to promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating” and prohibits federal contractors from inculcating such views in their employees in workplace diversity and inclusion trainings. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued additional Guidance to assist in implementation.

09.23.20

President Donald Trump has issued an Executive Order intended to financially assist workers as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The memorandum directs the Secretary of the Treasury to defer certain payroll tax obligations with respect to the American workers most in need. This order has been interpreted to be voluntary, although federal workers have been mandated to comply.

09.23.20

Last month, PHCC reported that mid-recess legislative activity in both the House and Senate was sending a signal that negotiations may restart on a COVID relief package that could result in a bill being passed around Labor Day. Since then, White House negotiators, including the President’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, have indicated that a deal may not come until “after September.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued additional guidance concerning the ownership percentage that triggers the applicability of the owner compensation rule for forgiveness purposes and limitations on the eligibility of certain non-payroll costs for forgiveness.

08.26.20

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was recently served with a 60-day letter notifying the Department of a party's intent to litigate. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and a group of state attorneys general have separately filed letters regarding the DOE’s failure to meet mandatory deadlines for reviewing and amending product efficiency standards pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) in some 26 rulemakings.

08.26.20

In 2011, the Obama Administration, through the Department of Energy (DOE), established a showerhead rule interpretation, which changed the definition of a showerhead. The Federal limit for a showerhead is 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at 80 pounds per square inch (psi) supply pressure.

08.26.20

In August, PHCC reported that mid-recess legislative activity in both the House and Senate was sending a signal that negotiations may restart on a COVID relief package that could result in a bill being passed around Labor Day. Since then, White House negotiators including the President’s chief of staff Mark Meadows have indicated that a deal may not come until “after September.”

08.26.20

Considering the current impasse over funding another COVID relief bill and the U.S. Postal Service in the midst of election season, there is much uncertainty over how Congress will fund the government after September 30. Upon its return to Washington, the Senate will have approximately three weeks to pass 12 appropriations bills, which will then require reconciliation with the House bill before it goes to President Trump for his signature before adjourning for the month of October to campaign.

08.03.20

With the introduction of the HEALS Act on July 27, the Republicans have presented a $1.5 trillion counter-offer to House Democrats’ $3 trillion HEROES Act.

07.29.20

Sometimes, policy proposals relevant to PHCC members can pop up in legislation that doesn’t exactly seem relevant. Such was the case with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) legislation that authorizes funding for the Department of Defense.