Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Recently, we called on Speaker Pelosi to establish a clear, safe, and effective plan for reopening the House of Representatives. This follows the White House and America’s governors releasing their own detailed plans for a phased reopening of society, and now, both the United States Senate and Democratic Speaker of the California State Assembly calling their members back into session.

In the interim, a bipartisan taskforce has been convened — on which we are all serving — to further explore ways in which Congress can operate…

The United States entered the year buoyed by the best economy in our lifetime, with more Americans earning a paycheck than ever before, historically low unemployment, rising incomes, and flourishing GDP. The country was feeling good — great, even.

With the economy on such solid footing, individuals and businesses alike had the confidence to expand their interests and investments in projects and developments not just for today, but for tomorrow’s success. …

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Update for April 13th, 2020.

• There are currently at least 558,999 cases and 22,154 deaths in the United States, as reported by Johns Hopkins. There are over 1.8 million cases and over 116,000 deaths worldwide.
• Dr. Birx announced Friday that the United States has started to level the curve.
• Dr. Fauci said parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month. The strategy to open the economy would be dependent on widespread testing availability and the ability to track and trace cases.
• NIH began a serosurvey to study to quantify undetected…

While the sight of empty streets, stores, parks, and restaurants may feel like the United States has turned into one giant eerie movie set, it’s important to remember that for now, this is a good thing. The empty streets illustrate that we are not only listening to health and medical experts, but that we are looking out for one another — as Americans always do in times of crisis.

While you valiantly continue to take care of your families in the best ways you know how, know that your Members of Congress are working to take care of our country’s…

The U.S. Congress and White House have developed “phase three” legislation to respond to COVID-19 crisis. It provides needed resources to health care professionals and patients as well as financial relief for American workers, families, small businesses and industries.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, also known as the CARES Act, provides direct and immediate assistance to those who need it most — and it does so quickly. It supports every layer of our economy.

Our top priority is keep America working. So we aimed efforts to keep employees employed through two measures.

1. 100 percent federally-guaranteed loans for 8 weeks of assistance…

America has been tested before. We will be tested again. And while the immediate future is uncertain, one thing that is definite is that we will come out of this difficult time stronger and more united.

There simply is no alternative if we want to save as many lives and then mitigate as much economic damage as possible. For companies, workers, small businesses, and families, there is no choice but to power through. For Congress, the White House, and the rest of the government, there is no choice but to act immediately and in a bipartisan manner.

There are few…

On March 18, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6021) into law. This law provides timely, temporary, and targeted relief to American families and workers who need help right now.

This explainer breaks down how it helps those who need it: sick leave, family leave, emergency unemployment insurance, and healthcare.

Payroll Credit for “Qualified Sick Leave Wages”

Certain businesses are now required to provide 10 workdays of additional paid sick leave to full-time employees and the prorated amount for part-time employees who are impacted by the coronavirus.

The leave will work in one of two ways…

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor announced the Administration’s plans to invoke the Defense Production Act in order to obtain some 60,000 coronavirus test kits. Administrator Gaynor also said they plan to use “DPA language” in its contract for 500 million masks.

Updates to come.