The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate entered their traditional August recess without a deal on a COVID-19 relief package. Negotiations between Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill and the Trump Administration remain at an impasse following a $1 trillion proposal from Senate Republicans that fell short of Democratic leadership’s benchmarks on key programs within the $3.4 trillion House-passed HEROES Act.
CSDA is continuing to build on the successes it has had in securing both S. 4308 and H.R. 7073, the Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act. CSDA, along with its National Special District Coalition partners, is communicating with key legislative offices on Capitol Hill during this August recess, and has developed a support coalition of more than 75 special district stakeholder organizations across the country.
So, what is the state of play in Washington right now?
Another Senate GOP proposal is emerging; however, it appears to be smaller than what Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows offered when negotiations broke down. Reportedly, the potential $500 billion package may include $105 billion for schools, $10 billion for the U.S. Postal Service (in loan forgiveness), $45 billion in vaccine development and COVID-19 testing, and a $300/week supplement provision for Americans receiving unemployment benefits. Thus far there have been no mentions of additional state and local funds associated with the latest GOP proposal, a reversion from the $200 billion state and local aid concession discussed during earlier negotiations.
The House Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate House Democrats, sent on Friday a letter to House and Senate leadership pressuring them to push forward on COVID-19 package negotiations. The letter will reportedly include items where potential common ground can be found including relief for state and local governments, education funding, and another round of direct payments for Americans.
This is occurring as we lurch toward a September 30 deadline to fund the federal government. Prior to the August recess, the House lumped 10 of the 12 appropriations measures into two separate bills and passed each. These are currently pending in the Senate. Left out of the two omnibus measures are appropriations for homeland security and the legislative branch. Stay tuned for whether COVID-19 relief is woven into either of these measures and negotiated further to set up a good old-fashioned, Washington-style 11th hour deal.
What does this mean for the Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act?
It means we have been granted time. CSDA continues working with its National Special Districts Coalition partners and special districts stakeholders across the country to continue momentum and engagement with the U.S. Congress. This 75-member support coalition is engaging with key Senate Finance Committee members and COVID-19 relief negotiators.
Over 330 special districts in California have submitted a letter of support for the Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act. Districts that have not yet sent a showing of support to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris are encouraged to do so.
Stay tuned to CSDA Advocacy News for the latest updates on this and other COVID-19 relief advocacy measures. Visit the CSDA COVID-19 Take Action page for advocacy resources for district’s engagement for advocacy.