Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1266845
10 PalletCentral • May-June 2020 palletcentral.com POLICY PLAY POLICY POLICY POLICY AT A phrase I'm sure you never thought you would hear, "the powerful pallet lobby." This industry didn't get to the position of being called a powerful force in Washington, D.C. out of the blue. And it is important to be known as a group that knows its issues and can get things done. People like winners, and you and the pallet and container manufacturing industry have created a winning association. This is particularly important during these difficult times. You will need all the tools in your toolbox to wholly recoup from these crises. In last issue's PalletCentral, we discussed NWPCA's advocacy efforts that secured wins as an industry being deemed by the White House, "Essential Businesses" and "Critical Infrastructure." This allowed pallet manufacturers to stay open during the height of the crisis, when other businesses were being temporarily shut down. The campaign for the industry continues with House and Senate appropriations committees considering their FY21 bills the week of June 22, and potentially Senate subcommittees skipping their markups and going to consideration by the full committee – meaning things are moving fast. The House Appropriations Committee begin their markups the week of July 6. These are important because they will contain relief efforts for businesses and their employees across the country. That being noted, Congress is not rushing on a next coronavirus bill. At the beginning of June, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) stated that he was opposed to moving quickly on a fourth coronavirus bill. The senator noted that he does not anticipate taking up another coronavirus relief package prior to the July 4 recess. "What are in these bills and what is NWPCA doing about it?" COVID-19-related Congressional hearings are occurring every week, and the week of June 9, alone (at the time of writing this article), included: Senate • A June 9 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine COVID-19 fraud, focusing on law enforcement's response to those exploiting the pandemic. • A June 9 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine wildfire management in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. • A June 9 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to examine the federal govern- ment's procurement and distribution strategies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. • A June 9 Senate Finance Committee hearing to examine unemployment insurance during COVID-19, focusing on the CARES Act. • A June 10 Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing to examine implementation of Title I of the CARES Act (Paycheck Protection Program). House • A June 9 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled, "On the Front Lines: The Impacts of COVID-19 on Transportation Workers." • A June 10 House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing entitled, The Powerful Pallet Lobby is You NWPCA's advocacy efforts elevate the industry to levels of higher impact. By Patrick Atagi iStockphoto.com/BrantleyHighline