10.02.20 – Payroll Support Program Extension Act

Friday, October 2, 2020

Payroll Support Program Extension Act

Today, Chairman Peter DeFazio and Chairman Rick Larsen attempted to pass H.R. 8504 (Payroll Support Program Extension Act) by unanimous consent to extend the Payroll Support Program. It was blocked and the House adjourned until October 6th.

Chairman DeFazio gave a heated statement on the floor about the frustrations of Congress having not yet acted to save thousands of aviation jobs.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi also released the following statement today:

“The massive furloughs and firings of America’s airline workers jeopardize the livelihoods of tens of thousands and threaten to accelerate the devastating economic crisis facing our nation. Today, I am calling upon the airlines to delay their devastating job cuts as relief for airline workers is being advanced in Congress.

“We will either enact Chairman DeFazio’s bipartisan stand-alone legislation or achieve this as part of a comprehensive negotiated relief bill, extending for another six months the Payroll Support Program. This initiative is focused solely on the workers, keeping them on the payroll so these workers maintain their critical training and certification requirements unique to their industry.

“As relief for airline workers is being advanced, the airline industry must delay these devastating job cuts.”

Representative Peter DeFazio on House Floor – Oct 2, 2020

In addition, last night the House passed the $2.2T Heroes Act (“Heroes 2”) that included a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program. Unfortunately, the Senate has indicated that they will not consider it for a vote. Speaker Pelosi has expressed willingness to continue talks on larger coronavirus relief legislation. Should a deal be reached, members of Congress will be called back Washington with 24-hour notice for a vote.

APFA members, we cannot give up. This should not be happening, but it is. We are people, not political pawns. Keep up the action – until we pass a stimulus package or a standalone bill to save our jobs.

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD: (202) 224-3121

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative

[email protected]