May 14, 2021 – Over the last two weeks, bills were introduced in Congress that propose to make certain non-profit child care providers eligible for Small Business Administration loans, raise caps on the value of government contracts sole-sourced to small businesses, and reallocate funds from federal stimulus programs to a range of infrastructure projects. There were no regulatory developments of note this week relating to the pandemic.

Fiscal Stimulus Legislative Proposals

H.R. 3155, S. 1587: Small Business Child Care Investment Act

On May 12, Representatives Susie Lee (D-NV) and Pete Stauber (R-MN), in conjunction with Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced bipartisan legislation that would make certain non-profit child care providers eligible to participate in all loan programs available through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

H.R. 3065: Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act

On May 7, Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL) and Marie Newman (D-IL) introduced legislation that would raise caps on sole-source contracting for small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA) from $5 million to $8 million for general contracts and from $7 million to $10 million for manufacturing contracts. In a press release, Representative Salazar stated that the purpose of the legislation is to encourage more small contractors to participate in government-aid programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

H.R. 2962: America's Infrastructure Modernization (AIM) Act

On May 4, Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Scott Perry (R-PA) introduced legislation to modify President Biden's proposed $2.3 trillion dollar infrastructure plan. The legislation would redirect $650 billion from the American Rescue Plan, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, among other programs, to a variety of infrastructure projects, including improvements to surface transportation, ports, and airports.

Regulatory Developments Relating to the Pandemic

There are no regulatory updates of note relating to the pandemic.

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