Business groups from badly affected industries applauded provisions of the coronavirus relief package for approximately $ 1 trillion Republicans in the Senate, released Monday.
The GOP plan would expand eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to nonprofit or quasi-governmental tourism marketing organizations, which the travel industry lobby group has been lobbying for since these companies were left out. of the COVID-19 aid package that Congress approved in March.
US Travel Association CEO Roger Dow released a statement calling it a “welcome update” because destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are economic development agencies working to attract visitors to local and regional businesses.
“Senate leaders must be credited for this forward-looking measure that extends relief from the Paycheck Protection Program to DMOs, which establishes a much more comprehensive political basis for travel companies to restore jobs and fuel an economic recovery national, “Dow said.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), which represents the hospitality industry, also applauded the liability protection bill that it provided to companies, as well as additional PPP funding.
The bill includes a five-year shield against coronavirus-related lawsuits unless an entity engages in “gross negligence” or “willful misconduct.” Business groups have been aggressively pressing for a shield of responsibility in this round of coronavirus relief.
“We urgently need help so that hotels can remain solvent to retain and rehire our employees. We applaud legislators who have recognized this fact by crafting this critical legislation, ”AHLA CEO Chip Rogers said in a statement.
The Republican proposal would also include a plan from the President of the Senate Small Business Committee. Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio Rubio With the meeting set for the messy COVID-19 talks on the tight McConnell deadline, Rubio defends senior intelligence official over comments on election interference Republican senators push for stimulus controls for nearly 2 million Americans excluded MORE (R-Fla.) And the senator Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins100 days: Democrats see a clear path to the Senate Majority VOA decision that could hinder Venezuela’s coverage. (R-Maine) to have another round of PPP loans that would target the most affected small businesses, limiting them to those with a maximum of 300 employees, below the 500-worker limit.
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) praised the liability provision in the bill, saying that retailers have been following guidelines and safety mandates.
“Federal law must protect, not punish, these employers when they can demonstrate that they have followed the safety guidelines and mandates issued by government authorities,” Michael Hanson, RILA executive vice president of public affairs, said in a statement. “The proposal announced today creates a federal shield for employers against COVID-19’s unsubstantiated claims. Major retailers appreciate the protection. “
But the Independent Restaurant Association says the Republican bill doesn’t go far enough.
“The longer Congress waits to help independent restaurants, the more companies are at risk of permanently closing and cutting at least 16 million jobs across the country,” the group said in a statement.
He added that the PPP changes were a “good start, but independent restaurants do not need another loan when we are accumulating more debt and taking on more losses due to circumstances beyond our control.”
The childcare industry, represented by the advocacy group for the First Five Year Fund, also called for more funds in the package. The bill includes $ 15 billion in childcare aid funds, which the fund says is insufficient.
“Americans want Congress to treat childcare as the essential industry it is and to provide the necessary relief required for providers to continue to safely care for children in their communities. If the nation’s providers are going to stay in business, we know that it will take more than $ 15 billion to keep providers afloat for what promises to be a much longer recovery than previously predicted, “Sarah said. Rittling, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund statement.
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