Associations need a federally supported insurance backstop to protect against the financial impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and future health emergencies, executives told lawmakers.
Associations with fewer than 300 employees would be eligible for PPP funds under the broad COVID-19 relief bill proposed by Senate Republicans this week. But differences with Democrats on many provisions make the bill's future uncertain.
ASAE delivered its sixth letter to House and Senate leaders this week requesting aid for 501(c)(6) associations as they work to cobble together what could be the last COVID-19 relief package before the November elections.
The DC Council is proposing a 3 percent sales tax on advertising as part of its Fiscal Year 2021 budget. ASAE and other DC business groups are asking the council to reconsider it.
ASAE and 2,200 other organizations delivered a sign-on letter to Congress, asking that nonprofit associations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic get access to federal relief programs.
In a letter to the Federal Reserve, ASAE asked the Fed to expand the scope of the Main Street Lending Program to give 501(c)(6) associations the same access to credit during this difficult time.
A fourth package of pandemic relief is not expected to emerge from the Senate until after the July 4 recess. And Senate leaders say it will not resemble the House-passed HEROES Act, which expanded the Paycheck Protection Program to include associations.
The new Pandemic Risk Insurance Act, endorsed by ASAE, would create a federal backstop to prevent economic losses from future pandemics.
The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, passed May 28, is designed to make PPP loans more accessible by making its terms of use more flexible. However, the bill does not expand eligibility for the PPP to include 501(c) associations as the House-passed HEROES Act does.
Two bipartisan bills, up for vote next week, would modify elements of Paycheck Protection Program loans.
