A quick look back at the news from last week. Compiled by Penn Hill Group.

HOUSE and SENATE

A new and smaller COVID-19 relief bill that reportedly includes $500 billion in overall funding has circulated and is likely to be introduced by the Senate GOP in the coming days. The “skinny” relief bill would include more funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), include liability protections and provide additional unemployment insurance (UI) at $300 per week. It would also provide the same funding and structure for education as the Senate GOP Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protections and Schools (HEALS) Act introduced three weeks ago.

The House of Representatives is planning to reconvene on Saturday for a rare August recess vote on a bill that seeks to put constraints on recent systemic changes in the USPS adopted by the Trump Administration and provide additional funding for the USPS.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memorandum stating that educators and educational staff should be viewed as essential workers.

The Trump Administration requested in a court filing this week that its recent appeal of a Federal judge’s decision allowing Title IV- ineligible California Community College students to receive Federal emergency student grant aid under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L.116-136) be put on hold. In addition, the Administration indicated in the same court filing that, based on comments received, it is considering “whether to retain or modify the rule” that restricts access to the CARES Act emergency funding only to students who are eligible for Title IV student aid.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced a $28 million grant program funded through the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) under the CARES Act (P.L.116-136) focused on providing additional aid to institutions with unmet need.

SUPREME COURT

The U.S. Supreme Court will review a case this fall involving the use of “free speech areas” at a public Georgia college.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.