As the unified advocacy voice of the face-to-face business events industry in Washington, DC, and state capitals nationwide, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA) proudly represents ESCA members on the public policy issues that directly impact service contractors nationwide. Each month, this newsletter will update you on the latest ECA advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and beyond.
MUSIC Act / small business relief legislation
- Congress is finalizing its Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus legislation, which will fund the federal government through September 30
- Unfortunately, the bipartisan small business relief package, which included the MUSIC Act, was not included in the final legislation
- The bill was unable to secure the votes needed for inclusion due to (a) GOP concerns over offsetting the cost of the $48 billion bill and (b) supplemental funding added for Ukraine aid ($14 billion)
- Of note, President Biden’s $15.6 billion request for COVID-related aid was also removed from the final omnibus package
- ECA will continue to work with its Congressional champions on securing a path forward for the MUSIC Act
- Sen. Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, has already approached Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about moving small business package as stand-alone legislation
- Additionally, several MUSIC Act supporters are separately exploring options to add the bill to future Senate legislation as a bipartisan amendment
- Unfortunately, the bipartisan small business relief package, which included the MUSIC Act, was not included in the final legislation
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Reinstatement Act
- Legislation that would retroactively restore the Q4 2021 ERTC benefit for small businesses continues to gain momentum on Capitol Hill
- The ERTC Reinstatement Act has 67 co-sponsors in the House and 4 in the Senate
- Before it lapsed, the ERTC was worth up to $28,000 per employee in 2021 for businesses with fewer than 500 employees
- The ERTC Reinstatement Act has 67 co-sponsors in the House and 4 in the Senate
National Cleaning Week
- ECA partner ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Association is hosting its annual National Cleaning Week from March 27-April 2
- ECA is a National Cleaning Week supporting organization and encourages its alliance partners to add their support by contacting John Nothdurft at johnn@issa.com
Save the date: ECA Legislative Action Week
- ECA’s Legislative Action Week will take place virtually this year from June 6-10!
- ECA’s annual policy briefing and advocacy training session will take place on June 6, with Congressional meetings taking place from June 7-10
- Stay tuned for more details and registration information, which will be available soon
