While legislators avoided a shutdown last week, another round of negotiations is needed to keep the government open past Friday at midnight. Congress is getting closer to a reported $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill. Lawmakers are expected to announce the deal today and could possibly add coronavirus relief action to the year-end package. Prism Group has received drafts of the proposed Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 and Bipartisan State and Local Support and Small Business Protection Act of 2020, as recently released in the Senate. Members are working to resolve an impasse concerning the liability issue and combine bills into one $908 billion package for the House to review.

Yesterday, the Electoral College met and confirmed the 2020 presidential election results, solidifying Joe Biden as president-elect and Kamala Harris as vice president-elect.

 

Happening on the Hill

The Senate Judiciary Committee Intellectual Property Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the role of private agreements and existing technology on curbing online piracy. The hearing is scheduled for TODAY, December 15 at 2:30 PM.

The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a (virtual) hearing on winning the economic competition with China. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16 at 9:30 AM.

 

Bills of Interest 

  • Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL-15) introduced a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make certain improvements to the new markets tax credit.
  • Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA-1) introduced a bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish a grant program for training wind technicians.

 

At the Agencies

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $10 million for national out-of-school time organizations to expand workforce pathways for youth and approximately $89 million in grant funding for Youth build projects.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia released a statement supporting the consent order on United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).

The agency announced a joint final rule regarding equal treatment of faith-based organizations in DOL supported social service programs. The agency also took a range of actions to help American workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic.