Issue Updates
Friday, 02 April 2021 08:37
FRA Issue Update - 4/2/21
FRA reported last week that Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI-8) introduced the Safe Routes Act of 2021. Following the bill’s introduction, Congressman Gallagher released a media statement and the text of the legislation
Friday, 26 March 2021 08:22
FRA Issue Update - 3/26/21
On Wednesday, March 24, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. This program is dedicated to providing at least six billion dollars to new assistance programs, including logger relief assistance that was provided in the FY 2021 Omnibus.
Friday, 19 March 2021 13:08
FRA Issue Update - 3/19/21
On March 15, the United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) requested input from foresters, farmers, and members of the public on how the Biden Administration should promote climate-smart forestry and agriculture.
Friday, 12 March 2021 12:11
FRA Issue Update - 3/12/21
As reported last week, the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package passed the Senate last weekend, and changes to the bill were agreed to by the House earlier this week. President Joe Biden signed the measure yesterday.
Friday, 05 March 2021 12:04
FRA Issue Update - 3/5/21
This weekend, the full Senate is expected to pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package on a party-line vote, with the Vice President breaking the 50-50 tie. Senate Republicans are deploying parliamentary moves to delay the vote, and the Senate will be voting on dozens of amendments to the bill in what is known as a vote-a-rama.
Friday, 26 February 2021 09:16
FRA Issue Update - 2/26/21
The impacts of severe winter weather in much of the Southcentral Region, along with tornado damage in North Carolina, have presented significant challenges for many of our members over the last few weeks. Please know that our thoughts and support are with you for a speedy recovery process.
Friday, 19 February 2021 11:07
FRA Issue Update - 2/19/21
As of February 15, loan approvals under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) totaled $125.8 billion. This brings the total amount of all approved PPP lending to nearly $650 billion under the three separate rounds of PPP funding made available through the three COVID-19 relief acts.
Friday, 12 February 2021 12:24
FRA Issue Update - 2/12/21
Committees in the House of Representatives met this week to report out provisions of COVID relief legislation that falls within their jurisdictions. A notable piece that was advanced was an increase in the federal minimum wage, which was part of the House Education and Labor Committee’s bill. Specifically, the legislation gradually elevates the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025.
Friday, 05 February 2021 09:44
FRA Issue Update - 2/5/21
The federal stimulus passed in December 2020 contains a reboot and expansion of the popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The legislation allocates $284 billion to this forgivable loan program, with some changes to how the program is administered for second-time applicants. The deadline to apply for PPP loans is March 31, 2021.
Friday, 29 January 2021 10:59
FRA Issue Update - 1/29/21
As we have highlighted in previous Issue Updates, the Biden-Harris Administration has been rolling out Executive Orders (EO) and directives at a fast and furious clip, on issues that traverse the spectrum from access to health care, to immigration, to the environment.