Policy Papers
Modernizing Government Information Technology
KEY TAKEAWAYS Outdated “legacy” IT systems have hindered government response to the coronavirus pandemic at the federal, state, and local level. In addition to working slowly and crashing frequently, these obsolete systems present significant cybersecurity and privacy risks. Congress has conducted oversight and passed legislation to address the issue of outdated government technology, and President Trump has made modernizing technology a top priority of his administration. As... Continue Reading
May 14, 2020
Supporting Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic
KEY TAKEAWAYS Telehealth is playing a central role in the delivery of health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trump administration has taken steps to loosen regulations and has encouraged states to do the same, allowing telehealth to serve more patients and help mitigate the spread of the virus. Congress included provisions to expand telehealth in the CARES Act, including funding to help health care providers with broadband connectivity and telehealth devices, and supporting... Continue Reading
May 14, 2020
Education Aid in Congress' Coronavirus Response
KEY TAKEAWAYS The coronavirus has upended education for millions of K-12 and college students across the country, and some disruptions are likely to continue into the next school year. In the CARES Act, Congress provided money for K-12 schools and colleges to use on activities such as remote education, as well as funds for colleges to give as emergency grants to students. The law also suspends individuals’ payments on federally held student loans until September 30. In the Coronavirus... Continue Reading
May 8, 2020
April 2020 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 14.7 percent Jobs Created: -20.5 million Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor bases monthly jobs reports on a survey of businesses and a survey of households. The survey data relate to the pay period or calendar week containing the 12th day of the month. The report generally will not reflect labor market changes near the end of the month. In April, amid stay-at-home orders in more than 40 states, nonessential businesses closed or had to operate under... Continue Reading
May 4, 2020
Legal Precedents for Epidemic Response
KEY TAKEAWAYS Since the founding of the United States, our courts have debated the government’s power to respond to epidemics. Courts have allowed governments at different levels to take strict measures to combat epidemics, while requiring that the actions be reasonable. Under some circumstances, courts have permitted involuntary quarantine and compulsory vaccination as legal expressions of state police power, even when those actions override religious freedom or the right to vote. Since... Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
U.S. Supply Chain Security
KEY TAKEAWAYS The operations and supply chains of American businesses have been disrupted by measures taken to contain the coronavirus. Some lawmakers have questioned U.S. dependence on other countries, such as China, for pharmaceutical ingredients, medical equipment, and other critical products. Congress enacted policies to address these concerns in the CARES Act, including ways to track and monitor medical device shortages and increase access to information about the source of pharmaceutical... Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Coronavirus and Surveillance
KEY TAKEAWAYS As the country considers potential privacy and public health tradeoffs in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the lessons of 9/11 may help guide us. Contact tracing, one potential tool in containing the virus, presents significant privacy and Constitutional issues. Governments across the globe are responding to the pandemic by imposing surveillance measures on their citizens. As the world searches for ways to restart shuttered economies, governments and private sector companies... Continue Reading
April 24, 2020
Update on Coronavirus Response - Phase 3.5
KEY TAKEAWAYS The Trump administration and state governments have taken action to ensure a swift response to the coronavirus outbreak, declaring state and public health emergencies that allow for additional federal support and easier access to health care services. Congress has passed legislation to help respond to the pandemic by aiding the economy and ensuring health care providers have the support they need. On April 24, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care... Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Coronavirus Trade Restrictions
KEY TAKEAWAYS Countries around the world, including the United States, have blocked various imports and exports in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to medical supplies, some countries have restricted trade of key agricultural goods. Preexisting trade disputes with the European Union, China, and others have continued during the pandemic. While economies across the globe struggle against the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions and other constraints on international trade... Continue Reading
April 17, 2020
Restart the Paycheck Protection Program
KEY TAKEAWAYS On April 3, the Paycheck Protection Program started approving loans to help small businesses stay open and keep paying their workers. On April 16, the program ran out of the nearly $350 billion Congress initially provided, after nearly 1.7 million loans were approved in just under two weeks. The Trump administration has requested about $250 billion more in program authority and additional appropriations to restart the Paycheck Protection Program. On April 16, the Paycheck... Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
Coronavirus and the Internet
KEY TAKEAWAYS On March 13, President Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic to be a national emergency. By the end of March, over half of the states had issued orders for residents to stay at home to reduce the spread of the disease. The internet’s built-in resilience and redundancy have helped keep it functioning as American life has moved online during the coronavirus pandemic. The internet has kept Americans connected to friends and family; delivered entertainment, fitness, and... Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
National Guard Joins the Fight Against Coronavirus
KEY TAKEAWAYS More than 30,000 National Guard troops have been mobilized to assist in the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The National Guard is setting up medical testing facilities; providing ground transportation and logistics support for essential services; and assisting operations for state and local governments. Congress provided $1.5 billion in the CARES Act for National Guard troops activated by their governors to fight the pandemic. FEMA also will reimburse... Continue Reading
April 14, 2020
Sustaining the Paycheck Protection Program
KEY TAKEAWAYS On March 27, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which includes the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses stay open. The CARES Act provided about $350 billion to support the federally guaranteed loans through the Small Business Administration. The Trump administration has requested about $250 billion more in lending authority for the new program and appropriations to pay for this increase. As of April 13, lenders... Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Aid to Families and Workers in Coronavirus Response
KEY TAKEAWAYS Congress has passed three laws supporting families and workers as they deal with the effects of the coronavirus. Congress is requiring certain employers to give paid sick and expanded family leave to employees unable to work for coronavirus-related reasons. It has expanded jobless benefits, including for the self-employed and others who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. The federal government is also giving Americans direct cash aid through economic impact... Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Rural Resources During the Coronavirus Emergency
KEY TAKEAWAYS In March, Congress passed three laws to help respond to the coronavirus emergency: the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. These three laws include important resources to support our country’s farmers, rural businesses, and rural health care providers. The CARES Act provides rural businesses with resources to help small businesses stay... Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Supporting Businesses in the Coronavirus Response
KEY TAKEAWAYS Congress has passed three laws that include programs to help American families and businesses, small to large, withstand the adverse economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the new Paycheck Protection Program, Congress has made $350 billion in loans available to help small businesses stay open and keep paying their workers. Congress also authorized up to $500 billion more in loans, loan guarantees, and other investments through the Treasury and Federal Reserve,... Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Supporting Nonprofits During the Coronavirus Emergency
KEY TAKEAWAYS In March, Congress passed three laws to help respond to the coronavirus emergency: the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. These three laws include important resources to support our country’s nonprofits. The CARES Act allows 501(c)3 nonprofits to access important programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and encourages people to... Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Health Care Support in Coronavirus Legislation
KEY TAKEAWAYS Congress has passed and President Trump has signed into law three pieces of legislation to provide funding and other resources to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. These laws ensure patients can have coverage for coronavirus testing, support the development of a vaccine, help the health care workforce by increasing access to medical supplies, and direct resources to providers to enable patient care. This paper describes the key health care provisions Congress has provided... Continue Reading
April 8, 2020
Coronavirus and Elections
KEY TAKEAWAYS The coronavirus pandemic has forced states and political parties to postpone local, state, and primary elections. The CARES Act includes $400 million to help states ensure the 2020 elections are secure, accessible, and safe for voters and poll workers. Elections have taken place in America through war, depression, and natural disaster. As states have instructed people to stay home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, elections have joined the list of disrupted public... Continue Reading
April 3, 2020
March 2020 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 4.4 percent Jobs Created: -701,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor bases monthly jobs reports on a survey of businesses and a survey of households. The survey data relate to the pay period or calendar week containing the 12th day of the month. The jobs report generally will not reflect labor market developments toward the end of the month. In March, states and cities began restricting or shutting down businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. They also... Continue Reading
