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Congress Reaches Agreement on Massive Coronavirus Relief Package

Travel Advisors Will Have Access to $25 Billion Airline Assistance Funds, Multiple Other Options for Relief Under Bill

ASTA Members:
 
Today, Congressional leadership and the Trump Administration came to agreement and released the text of a massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While it is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Trump in the coming days, it is possible that additional changes might be made before then.

Over the past few weeks, we have worked hand-in-hand with our 13,000 members to secure the maximum amount of relief for the travel agency community in this package. Thank you to our members who sent more than 28,000 grassroots messages to legislators through ASTA.org. We are thrilled that travel agencies are included in the airline assistance portion of the bill -- it is a huge win because it means that Congress heeded our call to include our members in the targeted relief for the travel industry. Our efforts made a significant difference in the size and scope of relief options in the bill.

Among the provisions of the CARES Act that will provide relief to the travel agency industry, its employees and independent contractors (ICs) are:

• Travel Agencies Eligible for Airline Economic Stabilization Loans ($25 billion) – Under the bill, the Treasury Secretary is authorized to make up to $25 billion in loans, loan guarantees and other investments in support of passenger airlines, "ticket agents" (the statutory term for travel agencies) and other related aviation businesses. The Treasury Secretary must consult with the Secretary of Transportation in allocating these funds. Once the bill is enacted, ASTA will work with the Treasury and Transportation Departments as the work to implement this provision.
• Small Business Interruption Loans/Paycheck Protection Program – Under this new U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program, loans of up to $10 million will be available to U.S. businesses under the existing SBA size standards ($22 million in annual revenue) or with 500 or fewer employees. Independent contractors and other self-employed workers are eligible. There are no collateral or personal guaranty requirements for these loans. The portion of these loans that covers the business' payroll, mortgage, rent or utility expenses from February 15 to June 30 may be eligible for forgiveness in whole or in part. 
• Economic Stabilization Loans for Severely Distressed Sectors – Under the bill, the U.S. Treasury Department is be authorized to extend low- or no-interest loans and loan guarantees to U.S. businesses that incurred losses directly or indirectly as a result of coronavirus. This relief is only open to a "business that has not otherwise received adequate economic relief in the form of loans or loan guarantees provided under this Act," indicating that businesses could not also apply for the new SBA program (see above).
• Unemployment Benefits for the Self-Employed – The CARES Act would also provide up to 39 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to people not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment compensation (including the self-employed and those who have exhausted their regular benefits). This was an ASTA priority given that there are currently around 40,000 independent contractors working in the industry, and their business income has seized up along with every other part of the industry, but these self-employed individuals typically do not have access to federal and state unemployment benefits, as laid-off W-2 employees do. 

ASTA will hold a member webinar on Friday, March 27 at 3:00 PM to provide members with a preliminary analysis. You can register for the webinar here.
 
In the coming days, ASTA will be analyzing the entirety of the relief package for provisions impacting its members, and will explore key questions such as how the new SBA loan program interacts with the Administration's existing Disaster Relief programs. ASTA will also monitor closely SBA and Treasury/Transportation Department announcements with regard to how they plan to distribute this relief.
 
In the meantime, members are encouraged to stay tuned to ASTA.org and subscribe to ASTA's Travel Advisor Daily newsletter for the latest information. Finally, given the scale of the crisis, ASTA expects Congress will consider additional relief legislation in the coming weeks and months and if so we will be heavily engaged to secure members access to further relief.

Questions: Contact   govtaffairs@asta.org

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As you know, our industry is in peril. While many of us have worked through any number of challenges throughout our time, from 9/11 to commission cuts to Y2k, nothing compares to this.
 
Today, and with support from ASTA, our industry is launching a “Call-Your-Legislator” campaign to preserve our side of the industry. Our goal is to promote our visibility within the government, advocate for relief for all sectors within our industry, and ensure that we have a seat at the table.
 
For our US campaign our target is 5,000 – 7,000 touch points (emails and phone calls combined). This is being done in combination with a social media program to launch tonight and over the weekend for the same effect, all targeting markets for key legislators.
 
Right now Congress is in reconciliation for the massive economic stimulus package. If we are going to have any impact, there is no more time to act. You must start now. We expect by Monday evening or Tuesday at the latest the bill will exit reconciliation and Congress will head home.
 
I ask to lend your hand and make some calls and send some emails to help protect our industry.
 
Attached are talking points and email phone scripts that can be used, as well as a copy of the ASTA Relief Request for $7.7Bilion in Grants as well as $7Billion in loans. You can go to the ASTA page here to make the process easier.
 
The travel industry requires travel agents to operate efficiently and effectively. Each of us has seen the concern and fear by all travelers, yet during this extraordinary time our clients time and again sing all of our praises. This is no accident; time and again you make the impossible happen.
 
We are all on this together, and together we will succeed,
 
Tama Holve
            SoCAL ASTA Chapter President
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