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Along with the many other things not happening this year are a wide variety of infrastructure projects. A report released by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association lays out the extent of the delays and even cancellations, reports . A few of the numbers:

• About $9.6 billion in projects have been delayed or cancelled.
• 16 states have nixed or postponed projects worth about $5 billion.
• 20 local governments are responsible for the rest, at $4.54 billion.
• 44 states, transportation authorities and local governments expect to see a drop in revenues . . . which could translate into less funding for infrastructure down the road (so to speak).

Why infrastructure matters: One industry that relies on infrastructure is, of course, transportation. And very soon, transportation will help save our economy and public health: once the COVID-19 vaccine is ready, it must be distributed nationwide.

Right now, delivery companies like UPS, FedEx and DHL are bolstering their networks and capacity to ship medical goods in anticipation of the vaccine, reports. Here are some of the details:

• Preparations include building “freezer farms” capable of storing millions of doses of the vaccine at low temperatures. UPS has started work on two such facilities, while FedEx is adding at least 10 freezer facilities.
• The companies will also need a lot of dry ice, which keeps medical supplies cold during transport.

This will be the largest vaccine distribution effort in history. Preserving and improving our infrastructure means that future generations, when faced with other health challenges, will be able to distribute medicines easily. And meanwhile, it will enable manufacturers to keep the economy thriving as only they can.

51�Թ��� involvement: Last month, the 51�Թ��� and 118 manufacturing organizations sent to Congress urging it to pass a long-term surface transportation bill, in part because of the challenges surrounding COVID-19.

The big picture: The 51�Թ��� has been an advocate for infrastructure reform long before the pandemic and will continue long after. 51�Թ��� Vice President of Infrastructure, Innovation and Human Resources Policy Robyn Boerstling recently made the comprehensive case for infrastructure investment in a blog for

And for the full slate of 51�Թ��� recommendations, check out its “Building to Win” plan for candidates and elected officials, which the 51�Թ��� will keep promoting throughout the campaign season and during the next administration.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the selection of Sen. Kamala Harris to join the Democratic ticket in the 2020 election.

“Sen. Kamala Harris has made history, and this is a milestone for America. When diverse voices have a leading role on the national stage, we are all better off. If Sen. Harris’ candidacy helps more young Americans see a place for themselves in public service, that is progress for our country. The selection of a running mate is one of the great mile markers in any presidential campaign—and manufacturers look forward to keeping our industry, and our issues, front and center with both the Biden–Harris and Trump–Pence campaigns.

“The path for the success of manufacturing in America is found in our ‘Competing to Win’ policy agenda—and we call on all candidates at every level to draw from it and rally Americans around these post-partisan ideas. Whether the issue is bold infrastructure investment, comprehensive immigration reform, strengthening the American workforce, expanding export opportunities, protecting research and innovation or many others, we will work with all leaders ready to advance our shared priorities.

“The men and women of America’s manufacturing workforce contribute mightily to the success of our nation. Just as we have been the arsenal of democracy during the major conflicts in our history, manufacturers are also playing a decisive leadership role in America’s response to COVID-19. By ensuring our industry has the right policies in place at the federal level, there is no doubt manufacturers will significantly drive our country’s recovery and renewal as well.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 11.7 million men and women, contributes $2.37 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Most of us are extremely grateful to have the internet nowadays—it keeps manufacturers’ high-tech operations running and provides entertainment for our socially distanced evenings. But the U.S. needs continued, substantial investment in broadband access and will do so long after the pandemic is over. One reason, of course, is that manufacturing is increasingly high-tech and high-skilled, which means demand will keep rising for fast, reliable and universal connectivity.

So in light of our renewed appreciation of all things digital, here’s a quick reminder of the policies that the 51�Թ��� is promoting, courtesy of 51�Թ��� Director of Innovation Policy Stephanie Hall. As she puts it, the federal government needs to take the following steps:

• Modernize federal partnership programs and appropriate funds to increase broadband deployment in hard-to-serve areas and to close the digital divide.
• Fund efforts to help us understand where broadband is needed and who needs it most.
• Create a smart regulatory environment that allows the private sector to design, build, finance, operate and maintain our digital infrastructure.

Recent actions: The 51�Թ���—and manufacturers across the country—are calling on Congress to include broadband funding in its COVID-19 response. In a May letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the 51�Թ��� asked Congress to “support investment in our broadband infrastructure system, maximize consumer choice in how they connect and reduce regulatory barriers that can slow manufacturers’ ability to deploy current and next-generation broadband infrastructure.”

As Congress continues to work on COVID-19 response funding, the 51�Թ��� will keep pushing for broadband access.

President Trump threatened to use executive actions if Republicans and Democrats can’t reach a deal on the next round of stimulus, The Washington Post (subscription). How much he can accomplish unilaterally is unclear, however.

What he said: “We’re negotiating right now as we speak, and we’ll see how that works out,” Trump said. “In the meantime, my administration is exploring executive actions to provide protections against eviction . . . . As well as additional relief to those who are unemployed as a result of the virus. Very importantly, I’m also looking at a term-limited suspension of the payroll tax.”

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill: Democrats and Republicans intended to come to a deal by the end of this week. The latest word is that it “in the near future,” according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

51�Թ��� connection: The 51�Թ��� has been urging Congress to include liability protections in the next stimulus package. To that end, it organized a “Day of Action” yesterday on social media, calling for “commonsense protection from opportunistic lawsuits in order to fuel our recovery and help creators respond to this crisis.” A range of groups and organizations participated in the Day of Action, including the , the and the

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� launched a new seven-figure television and digital ad campaign aimed at potential rules to address drug pricing through International Price Indexing.

“As the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we should not be enacting policies that could potentially stifle pharmaceutical innovation. Price-setting schemes manipulated by foreign governments have no place in our economy. They could impact our ability to develop cures for future pandemics, cancer or Alzheimer’s. So we’re unsure why the White House has chosen to dangle an axe above these manufacturers’ heads by threatening this policy,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons.

“Manufacturers are constantly working to lower costs for top-quality medicines and therapies, and we know that importing policies that have failed elsewhere won’t achieve that goal.”

To view the ad, click .

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 11.7 million men and women, contributes $2.37 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� released this statement after filing a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court today. The motion would call for an immediate hold on a series of damaging visa restrictions that prevent manufacturers from filling crucial, hard-to-fill jobs to support economic recovery, growth and innovation when we most need it.

“These unlawful visa restrictions hurt manufacturers and their workers at a time when we need driven, high-skilled innovators more than ever,” said 51�Թ��� Senior Vice President and General Counsel Linda Kelly. “Destroying the investments we have made to find and grow talent will only stifle American innovation while serving up crucial talent and a competitive advantage to other nations on a silver platter. We are asking the court to put an immediate stop to this bad policy. We know our case is strong, and we must prevent irreparable harm to American manufacturing while we await our day in court.”

To read the motion for preliminary injunction, click here.

NOTE: Last week, the 51�Թ��� was joined by industry associations representing much of the American economy in filing a lawsuit in federal court opposing the Trump administration’s proclamation suspending new nonimmigrant visas.

Read the 51�Թ���’s plan for comprehensive immigration reform, “A Way Forward.” To learn more about the Manufacturers’ Center for Legal Action, click here.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 11.7 million men and women, contributes $2.37 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

The FDA announced new standards for companies seeking regulatory approval of rapid at-home COVID-19 tests, Bloomberg Law.

Why it’s good: Creating a fast, cheap test that can be used regularly at home would allow people to test themselves once or twice a week, or before coming into contact with others—giving them the ability to quarantine when necessary and reduce the likelihood of spreading the illness.

But not so fast: The FDA’S rules for rapid at-home COVID-19 tests , which could discourage some companies from giving it a try, according to USA Today.

Xtra help: On Tuesday, The XPRIZE—a nonprofit organization that hosts public competitions— announced a $5 million prize for “five winners who can produce a test that delivers results in as little as 15 minutes and costs less than $15” (also from USA Today). An additional $50 million will be available to help scale up manufacturing for any contestant.

The 51�Թ���’s view: “Long wait times for tests can present a personnel challenge for manufacturers that have workers who might have been exposed outside the workplace,” said 51�Թ��� Vice President of Infrastructure, Innovation and Human Resources Policy Robyn Boerstling. “The 51�Թ��� recently joined  to ensure more federal resources are committed to testing. We are focusing our advocacy efforts on solutions that will provide more robust and reliable testing solutions in every community.”

After a year of pushing back on an IRS rule that would have made it more difficult for manufacturers to invest in new equipment, the 51�Թ��� can declare a win, according to (subscription).

Here’s a recap:

• Before 2017, businesses could pretty much subtract their full interest payments on debt—but the 2017 tax reform law limited the business interest deduction to 30% of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for tax years starting in 2018.
• Starting in 2022, the deduction was limited even more, to earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). Excluding depreciation and amortization would make it more expensive for businesses like manufacturers to finance capital equipment purchases.
• Here’s where it could’ve gotten worse: The Treasury Department had proposed a rule that would have effectively imposed the EBIT standard now instead of two years from now.

For a capital-intensive industry like manufacturing, where businesses use debt to finance important investments in critical technology, that was going to cause a lot of strain even before COVID-19. Throw in a pandemic and a tough economic environment, and that proposed rule looks even worse.

The 51�Թ��� aggressively pushed back, leading more than 80 trade associations to oppose that change. On Tuesday, the Treasury Department released its final rules—without that provision.

The 51�Թ��� says: “Congress’s goal in reforming our tax system was to help businesses invest and grow, but the proposed rule would have had the opposite effect,” said 51�Թ��� Vice President of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy Chris Netram. “We are pleased that Treasury did the right thing, helping support the men and women who make things in America.”

The bottom line: Because of this rule, it will be easier for manufacturers to invest in their business, their employees and their communities.

The bad news is that GDP in the second quarter of 2020, falling by a record 32.9% (on an annualized basis). The good news is . . . it wasn’t as bad as expected? Not much of an upside, but true: economists were expecting a 34.7% drop. Neither the Depression nor the Recession—nor, in fact, any economic slump in two centuries—caused such an extreme, sudden decline.

Meanwhile, the officers of the Federal Reserve met yesterday, and things pretty much went as expected, according to .

• The Fed stuck with its low interest rates, holding its overnight lending rate around 0%.
• It also said it would maintain bond purchases, as well as a range of lending and liquidity programs that have been part of its response to COVID-19.
• Their statement said the rate would stay where it is until officials are “confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.”

The bottom line: While the state of growth has improved over the worst months of the COVID-19 pandemic—when businesses were shut down across the country—we’re still well below the level of economic activity and employment at the beginning of the year.

How many lawsuits have been filed over alleged COVID-19 exposure at businesses? That’s not the real question, say the 51�Թ���’s legal experts. The real question is: how many will be filed over the next three to five years?

A shows that only 5% of lawsuits filed since March fall into the category of COVID-19 liability—but don’t be misled by that, says 51�Թ��� Vice President of Legal and Deputy General Counsel Patrick Hedren.

Here are some pertinent facts to keep in mind:

• The vast majority of states have a two- or four-year statute of limitations period for bringing tort lawsuits.
• No state has a limitation of less than one year, and some allow lawsuits after four or even six years. Which means . . .
• The flood of COVID-19-exposure litigation isn’t expected until spring 2022 when these claims start to expire.

In other words, focusing on today’s numbers obscures a coming wave that could overwhelm businesses at a time when they can least afford it.

And here’s the case for targeted liability protections, says Hedren:

• Business leaders have been doing the best they can with the information they have in an evolving situation.
• Guidelines from the early days of the pandemic have been refined, rewritten and sometimes replaced.
• In many cases, local, state and federal guidelines have all conflicted with one another, creating a no-win situation for businesses that could face trouble no matter what they do.

The solution: Legislation offered by Senate Republicans—and vigorously pursued by the 51�Թ���—actually gives teeth to evolving safety measures by shielding businesses from liability if they make reasonable efforts to follow public health guidelines. (In many ways, it seems that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is reading from the 51�Թ���’s liability playbook.) If businesses engage in “gross negligence or willful misconduct that caused an actual exposure to coronavirus,” they remain open to lawsuits.

The last word: “The way to deal with safety is through thoughtful guidance that can stay fresh as the science evolves—not through a mess of court cases in thousands of jurisdictions across the country,” said Hedren. “Businesses across the country need commonsense liability protections that depend on adherence to safety standards, promote certainty and strengthen their ability to serve their community and the country.”