A group of Democratic and Republican senators is pushing for Congress to ensure that more local news outlets are eligible for small business assistance in any future coronavirus stimulus package.
In a letter sent to Senate leadership on Saturday, the bipartisan group noted that thousands of newspapers, as well as hundreds of radio and television stations, were excluded from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) because of a Small Business Administration rule restricting assistance to companies owned by larger entities.
“Waiving SBA’s affiliation rules for local newspapers and broadcasters and ensuring that financial assistance flows to the local affiliate, not the parent company, would allow these small, local operations to be eligible for much-needed financial relief,” Sens. Amy Klobuchar
Amy KlobucharBiden campaign seeks to let Sanders keep his delegates in unusual move Key senators negotiating potential deal to allow remote Senate hearings Democrats press USDA to create rural coronavirus task force MORE (D-Minn.), John Kennedy
John Neely KennedyMORE (R-La.), John Boozman
John Nichols BoozmanOn The Money: Stocks have worst week in a decade on coronavirus fears | Fed chief hints at rate cut | Trump pushes central bank for action | Kudlow advises investors to 'think about buying the dip' Republicans growing nervous about 2020 economy Overnight Defense: Pentagon policy chief resigns at Trump's request | Trump wishes official 'well in his future endeavors' | Armed Services chair warns against Africa drawdown after trip MORE (R-Ark.) and Maria Cantwell
Maria Elaine CantwellHillicon Valley: State officials push for more election funds | Coronavirus surveillance concerns ramp up pressure for privacy bill | Senators warned not to use Zoom | Agencies ask FCC to revoke China Telecom's license Coronavirus surveillance concerns ramp up pressure to pass federal privacy law McConnell sets Friday night deadline for bipartisan deal on stimulus MORE (D-Wash.) wrote.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Local newspapers and broadcasters have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, are essential for maintaining a well-informed public, and deserve our help."
The coronavirus pandemic is posing devastating consequences for the news industry, as publishers around the country suffer a drastic drop in advertising revenue prompted by a mass closure of non-essential businesses. An estimated 33,000 people working in media have been laid off, furloughed or had their pay reduced since the virus spread to the U.S., according to The New York Times.
The cuts have led to growing calls for Congress to lend greater assistance to the industry, in particular local news outlets who have faced financial struggles for years now.
"Ensuring that local news outlets remain viable at this critical time is not only a matter of fairness, but is essential to public health," the senators wrote, noting that the stimulus package approved in March included provisions waiving the small business affiliation rule for hotels and restaurants.
"The same consideration should extend to local news outlets in light of their vital role in maintaining public health," they added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Their letter noted that Reps. David Cicilline
David Nicola CicillineCOVID-19 is no excuse for Attorney General Barr to skirt the rule of law Hillicon Valley: Google bans Zoom from its work computers | Dem cautions White House against using surveillance to fight virus | Lawmakers push House leaders on remote voting House Dems introduce anti-price gouging legislation MORE (D-R.I.) and Representative Jim Sensenbrenner
Frank (Jim) James SensenbrennerTrump adviser presses House investigators to make Bezos testify Bring back equitable access for the Digital Age: Congress must act House votes to impeach Trump MORE (R-Wisc.) are spearheading a similar effort in the House.
The push from the senators comes about a week after the largest media trade groups in the U.S. called on Congress to grant extensive relief to the news business in response to the pandemic. It also follows a letter signed by 18 Democratic senators and Independent Sen. Angus King
Angus KingOvernight Health Care: White House says US has enough tests for phase one | Trump defends protesters challenging social distancing | Hospitals fear being shortchanged on virus funding Tensions flare as Democrats press Pence over coronavirus testing Trump taps members of Congress to advise on reopening MORE (Maine) pushing for additional local news funding.
The News Media Alliance, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), National Newspaper Association (NNA) and America’s Newspapers in early April asked for lawmakers to ensure that any local news outlet could apply for relief under the Paycheck Protection Program, regardless of ownership. They also called on the federal government to fund local media through advertising campaigns.
NAB told The Hill that small business loans in the first stimulus package were only allocated for broadcasters and newspapers with fewer than 500 employees. A change to this provision could help thousands of news outlets, the group said.
"America’s broadcasters are providing trusted and credible lifesaving coverage to keep citizens safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet local stations are suffering advertising losses of historic proportion that will undermine this critically important service. We urge Congressional leaders to support this proposal to provide immediate SBA loan eligibility to more local radio and TV stations," NAB President Gordon Smith said.
The initial $349 billion allotted for the Paycheck Protection Program ran out of money many last week as Republicans and Democrats clashed over how to replenish it. The program provides loans to small businesses which are forgivable if they use the money for certain expenses, including retaining staff.
The Trump administration and Democratic leaders have said they're "hopeful" a new agreement for small business loans will be reached this week.
"assistance" - Google News
April 20, 2020 at 01:25AM
https://ift.tt/3anqrru
GOP, Democratic senators call for more assistance to local media in coronavirus stimulus | TheHill - The Hill
"assistance" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2Ne4zX9
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "GOP, Democratic senators call for more assistance to local media in coronavirus stimulus | TheHill - The Hill"
Post a Comment