Wide swath of economy seeks share of COVID-19 rescue package

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Congress works on a rescue package to help shore up a U.S. economy hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, a wide swath of business, from the solar power industry to casinos and hotels, along with doctors, nurses and educators are urging lawmakers to give them a share of the pie.

The House has passed an estimated $100 billion aid package of sick pay, emergency food aid and free virus testing. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised “significant and bold new steps above and beyond what the House has passed.”

And the White House is pitching an $850 billion aid package, with other proposals likely to follow.

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HEALTH INDUSTRY

America’s hospitals, doctors and nurses are asking Congress to provide at least $1 billion in emergency funding and to not offset that with cuts to other programs. The CEOs of associations representing all three entities sent a letter to congressional leaders detailing the reasons they need the help.

They said financial support would help them obtain supplies, rapidly increase infection control training, build or retrofit separate areas in their locations to screen and treat and expand their ability to perform telemedicine, among other things.

—By Tom Murphy

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HIGHER EDUCATION

Lobbyists for the nation’s colleges and universities hope to secure funding to offset revenue losses suffered as they shut down campuses and send students home early. Some risk losing 20% of their budgets as they refund students for housing and tuition fees, said Terry Hartle, senior vice president at the American Council on Education, an industry group in Washington.

“Almost all colleges and universities face a significant loss in auxiliary revenue as a result of the COVID-19 shutdowns, and that will translate into an immediate...