Airport Alert: Coronavirus Relief Package Update - Agreement Said to Be Likely Today
March 22, 2020
Decisions on the next, critical phase of the government's response to coronavirus are likely to be made over the next few hours. While the situation remains fluid, Senate and House leaders and the Administration have indicated they are close to a deal, which is reported to be in the $1.6 trillion range.
At 11 a.m. Eastern, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) - who flew in from California last night - and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-CA) are reportedly scheduled to huddle with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Administration officials with the hopes of agreeing on a final deal. If they are successful, staff will assemble a final legislative package that the Senate would hope to approve as early as Monday with House passage at some point quickly thereafter. The Senate and House are expected to then recess for a yet-to-be determined length of time.
Following the 11 a.m. meeting this morning, the Senate is scheduled to convene at 2 p.m. with a key procedural vote at 3 p.m. on "H.R. 748, the legislative vehicle for Coronavirus Phase III." That vote will be a good indication as to whether or not a deal has been reached that can pass the Senate and House. A failed vote will signal that more negotiations are needed.
The exact timeline of all this could change, but that appears to be the plan as of now.
Airport Relief
At this point, it is unclear if airport relief provisions will be part of the next package. The AAAE team has numerous conversations with key staff on the Hill over the past 24 hours, and it is clear that provisions to address airport needs have been drafted and are ready to insert if a decision is made to include them. One of the key staffers involved indicated that they had not heard from so many member offices on AIP in their entire career, so our sincere thanks to all of you for your hard work in making the case for immediate relief with your Senate and House offices.
We don't yet know exactly how much relief is being contemplated or the mechanics of how the money would be distributed. We have repeatedly pressed for $10 billion in immediate aid to airports to be distributed quickly through AIP formulas with as much flexibility as possible, including for the use of "any lawful purpose for airport revenue." Final decisions, of course, lie with those who are writing the bill after consultation with FAA.
If we do not end up being included in the package, we will need to regroup quickly to keep pressure up for action as soon as possible. If we do end up being included in the package, it is likely that we will need to continue working to identify and advocate for additional future assistance to meet unprecedented needs.
We will have more to follow, but wanted to provide an update on what we know at this point. We will continue to remain engaged in Washington and encourage you to continue weighing in with your Senators and House members as well.
Happy Sunday.
Decisions on the next, critical phase of the government's response to coronavirus are likely to be made over the next few hours. While the situation remains fluid, Senate and House leaders and the Administration have indicated they are close to a deal, which is reported to be in the $1.6 trillion range.
At 11 a.m. Eastern, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) - who flew in from California last night - and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-CA) are reportedly scheduled to huddle with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Administration officials with the hopes of agreeing on a final deal. If they are successful, staff will assemble a final legislative package that the Senate would hope to approve as early as Monday with House passage at some point quickly thereafter. The Senate and House are expected to then recess for a yet-to-be determined length of time.
Following the 11 a.m. meeting this morning, the Senate is scheduled to convene at 2 p.m. with a key procedural vote at 3 p.m. on "H.R. 748, the legislative vehicle for Coronavirus Phase III." That vote will be a good indication as to whether or not a deal has been reached that can pass the Senate and House. A failed vote will signal that more negotiations are needed.
The exact timeline of all this could change, but that appears to be the plan as of now.
Airport Relief
At this point, it is unclear if airport relief provisions will be part of the next package. The AAAE team has numerous conversations with key staff on the Hill over the past 24 hours, and it is clear that provisions to address airport needs have been drafted and are ready to insert if a decision is made to include them. One of the key staffers involved indicated that they had not heard from so many member offices on AIP in their entire career, so our sincere thanks to all of you for your hard work in making the case for immediate relief with your Senate and House offices.
We don't yet know exactly how much relief is being contemplated or the mechanics of how the money would be distributed. We have repeatedly pressed for $10 billion in immediate aid to airports to be distributed quickly through AIP formulas with as much flexibility as possible, including for the use of "any lawful purpose for airport revenue." Final decisions, of course, lie with those who are writing the bill after consultation with FAA.
If we do not end up being included in the package, we will need to regroup quickly to keep pressure up for action as soon as possible. If we do end up being included in the package, it is likely that we will need to continue working to identify and advocate for additional future assistance to meet unprecedented needs.
We will have more to follow, but wanted to provide an update on what we know at this point. We will continue to remain engaged in Washington and encourage you to continue weighing in with your Senators and House members as well.
Happy Sunday.
