Action Alert: Today is Critical Day; Keep Pressure on for Immediate Airport Coronavirus Relief
March 20, 2020
As we reported, Senate Republicans released a third coronavirus relief package yesterday afternoon that did not address pressing airport needs. Rather, the proposal, which closely paralleled the administration's request, focused on providing payments to individuals and loans to a broad section of affected businesses, including $58 billion in loans and loan guarantees to passenger and cargo carriers. The proposal also called for an aviation excise tax holiday through the end of the year.
The Senate Republican plan has been met by criticism on both sides of the aisle from various quarters, and it is does not appear to have the votes necessary to pass at this point. Over the course of the next few, critical hours, negotiations are scheduled to continue with key Senate Republicans and Democrats on cobbling together a package that can pass the Senate. The administration and House leadership will also be involved in those discussions.
Time is running short to convince lawmakers to include airport relief in the package. While it is clear that we made good progress yesterday in communicating with Senate and House lawmakers, it is critical that you follow-up over the next few critical hours to reemphasize the need for immediate assistance to airports. We can't afford to wait for the next relief package. Please act now to:
- Communicate with your Senators that airport relief MUST be part of the stimulus package being assembled to address coronavirus.
- Tell them what is happening at your airport and let them know that you need help NOW.
- Tell them that we can't afford to wait weeks and possibly months to address critical airport operating needs, bond payments, and other challenges.
- Tell them that while airline assistance is critical, an airline loan program will not help airports pay their bills and meet operational needs.
- Please communicate these messages with your House member as soon as possible also.
If you need additional talking points or a letter template, please refer to the AAAE/ACI-NA letter that was sent to the Hill earlier this week.
Finally, aswe have noted in previous Alerts, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is spearheading a letter that asks the President to work with Congress to ensure that airports have the resources they need to respond to the current crisis.
When you are communicating with your Senate offices, please ask them to sign the letter. The deadline has been extended to today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
Thanks again for your quick action.
