WASHINGTON, DC — On the evening of May 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed their $3 trillion coronavirus relief package, the HEROES Act, mostly along party lines with 14 Democratic defections and a handful of Republicans backing the legislation. The Republican controlled Senate is not expected to consider the measure.
This messaging bill wasn’t drafted with any other expectation.
Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats used this package to create a starting point for negotiations on future stimulus packages in DC, while pointing to this bill as evidence that their party is fighting for American businesses and workers. House and Senate Republicans, joined by some moderate Democrats, did not support this package, preferring to wait to see the effect of the CARES Act and make improvements on their previous stimulus packages.
What does this mean for the recreational boating industry?
The HEROES Act included funding for some programs that would affect our industry, including:
- $1 trillion for state and local governments;
- A second round of stimulus payments to Americas of $1,200 per family member up to $6,000;
- Enhancing the employee retention tax credit passed in the CARES Act;
- Modifications to the Paycheck Protection Program to make 501 C (6) nonprofit trade associations eligible for aid;
- Extension of $600 federal unemployment payments through January 2021.
Our industry is continuing our engagement in Washington DC to support items that would benefit recreational businesses across the country. For more information, please contact MRAA government relations manager, Adam Fortier-Brown at adam@mraa.com.
