With 99 days until November 3, Vice President Joe Biden maintains a healthy lead over President Donald Trump, both nationally and in many of the key swing states. Democrats are running away with races for seats in the House of Representatives and have become fiercely competitive in contests for control of the Senate. At this moment, unified Democratic control of the Federal Government seems like a real possibility, if not likely, come January. Less than 100 days out from Election Day, a number of issues are on the forefront of voters’ minds.
Read MoreWe have long known that people 65 and older have the highest risk of dying from the coronavirus, and we have seen outbreaks become rampant in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. This has created anxiety for seniors and their families across the country, but only recently is the full picture of the coronavirus’s toll on U.S. nursing homes becoming clear.
Read MoreThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year has thrown into disarray many of the legislative priorities Congress was hoping to tackle by year’s end. Since March, Congress has shifted its attention almost entirely to mitigating the impact of the virus, passing a series of packages aimed at bolstering support to those directly dealing with the outbreak, and to aid individuals and businesses experiencing financial hardship. As state economies gradually reopen, Congress has continued negotiations on additional COVID-oriented relief bills. It has also resumed consideration of “must pass” legislative vehicles, such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) appropriations, and a surface transportation reauthorization bill. Other timely measures, such as police reform, have also received attention.
Read MoreThe coronavirus epidemic presented new challenges for law enforcement officers when community transmission sped up in mid-March. Tensions between police and communities of color that they patrol have risen since then and were elevated even before the death of George Floyd and the resulting civil unrest. These recent events, coupled with ongoing efforts to respond to the pandemic, have resulted in demand for policy reforms.
Read MorePlurus Strategies has been compiling a list of provisions, broken down by key industries, that could be a part of upcoming relief packages. As we continue to respond to the impacts of the pandemic, it’s important to have a good idea of what future bills could contain. The legislative situation is very fluid, and priorities and timelines continue to shift on a frequent basis. We are likely to see additional legislation that expands the role of government and allocates significantly more funding for the COVID-19 response.
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