The COVID RELIEF NOW Coalition, representing major public and private sector groups including the U.S. Travel Association, launched a recent digital advertising campaign urging policymakers to quickly approve a new COVID-19 relief package that addresses the needs of businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic.
The ads highlight the need for additional relief, noting the widespread business closures, layoffs, and precipitous decline in state and local revenues facing the American economy. Congress passed the $2.2T CARES Act at the end of March, which provided the one-time Paycheck Protection Program, but subsequent sweeping relief packages have been marred by politics. Several bills with wildly disparate price tags have been proposed in both chambers but have failed to advance, leaving businesses in the travel and tourism sectors without critical aid to bridge the pandemic. With COVID cases again rising around the world, prompting additional restrictions, the need is more important than ever.
The coalition continues to expand, with current membership just shy of 300 different public and private sector organizations—emphasizing the widespread demand for relief legislation.
“With millions of Americans out of work, tens of thousands of businesses on the brink of collapse, and communities big and small facing cutbacks in vital services, it is beyond time for Congress to act,” said the coalition. “As the economy teeters and businesses are facing an uncertain winter, we encourage Congress to act without further delay to minimize additional damage to Americans’ lives and livelihoods.”
Coalition steering committee members include the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the Go Live Together Coalition, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the International Franchise Association, the National Association of Counties, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the National Restaurant Association, the National Retail Federation, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, the United States Conference of Mayors, and the U.S. Travel Association.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[10.27.20]