Monthly Archives: March 2020

FDA, USDA Relax Nutrition Labeling Requirements For Retail Distribution of Food By Restaurants and Food Manufacturers

FDA and USDA have issued temporary policies on nutrition labeling that will make it easier for restaurants and food manufacturers to sell food that was not originally intended for retail sale.   To facilitate the distribution of food during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released a guidance document, Guidance for Industry: Temporary Policy […]

U.S. State Dept. Waives Interview Requirement For H-2A Workers

According to The Packer, the U.S. Department of State is taking steps to reduce delays in the processing of H-2A workers caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department suspended routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates on March 20. While some returning H-2A workers were processed after that […]

Labor Dept. Announces Additional Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave

The U.S. Department of Labor on Friday updated guidance it issued earlier designed to help American businesses and their employees familiarize themselves with the details of the new emergency sick leave law that was enacted in response to the  coronavirus pandemic. The latest guidance by the DOL significantly expands a Q&A document issued last Tuesday […]

House Passes $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill

The House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, on Friday, moving the $2 trillion stimulus measure to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign. Relief set out in the measure includes direct payments of $1,200 to millions of Americans, strengthened unemployment benefits, and hundreds of billions […]

Trump Asked To Delay New Tariffs During Pandemic

According to AgriPulse, twelve GOP senators are asking President Trump to hold off on hitting any of our trading partner countries with new tariffs that often provoke retaliatory measures, hurting U.S. agricultural exports. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and others sent a letter to Trump on Wednesday, pleading for the suspension of “any measures […]

House Leadership Advises Members Return To DC For Possible Vote On Stimulus Package

According to The Hill, House leadership advised members on Thursday evening to come back to Washington, D.C., on Friday morning if possible, as top lawmakers said that they anticipate Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) could call for a roll call vote on the $2 trillion stimulus package passed in the Senate earlier this week.

IL Receives Federal Disaster Declaration

IL Governor JB Pritzker announced that the federal government has approved IL’s request for a federal major disaster declaration. This declaration will allow for additional emergency funding for hospitals and expanding telehealth programs. The Governor is also seeking another disaster declaration for every county in Illinois in order to access FEMA’s individual assistance program that […]