We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webcasts
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • COVID-19
    • Events & Webinars
    • Business Resources
    • Industry Announcements
    • Health & Safety
    • Op-Ed
Home » IAPMO CEO Sends Letter to White House, Congressional Leaders Advocating for Plumbing Industry in Federal Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

IAPMO CEO Sends Letter to White House, Congressional Leaders Advocating for Plumbing Industry in Federal Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

March 25, 2020
No Comments
IAPMO CEO Sends Letter to White House, Congressional Leaders Advocating for Plumbing Industry in Federal Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) CEO GP Russ Chaney has sent a letter to the White House and leaders in both houses of Congress outlining clear necessities on behalf of the plumbing industry that should be part of any legislation passed to address economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A copy of the letter may be read at https://bit.ly/2UkNrm8.

“The plumbing industry is at the heart of America’s response — ensuring that hundreds of millions of Americans have access to the water and sanitation critical to stopping the spread of this disease,” Chaney wrote. “To minimize the number of businesses closed and workers unemployed in our industry, and support those on the front lines who are securing access to safe, clean water and proper sanitation for all Americans, the response from Washington needs to be coordinated, massive, and focused on ensuring that all employers in our sector have the resources necessary to ride out the pandemic.”

Among the measures Chaney recommended were:

  • Expand the allowable uses for 7(a) loans to permit payroll support, including paid sick leave, supply chain disruptions, employee salaries, mortgage payments and other debt obligations to provide immediate access to capital for small businesses.
  • Suspend the filing of business returns and the payment of all business taxes to the federal government for the duration of the pandemic. These suspended taxes should include taxes owed for the 2019 tax year, estimated payments for 2020, and all payroll tax obligations. The suspension should be broad and apply to all businesses. When the pandemic is over, the repayment of any deferred taxes should be spread out over time.
  • Treat the broader construction industry and the work it performs as vital and essential to the critical industries that must remain in operation to respond to this pandemic and crises to come. On March 19, DHS issued guidance listing 16 critical infrastructure industries whose workforces should maintain their normal work schedules. Though construction was not explicitly listed, it is crucial to the operation of all 16 industries. In the absence of clear federal guidance, many states and localities have taken a wide variety of unreasonable approaches to addressing the ongoing operation of the industry.
  • Ensure home water and energy service continuity. Congress should require that states and utilities receiving funds through stimulus legislation adopt or maintain in force policies to prevent the shutoff of electricity, home heating and cooling, and drinking and wastewater services to residential customers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
  • Provide drinking water and wastewater assistance to low-income households. COVID-19 related legislation should include financial assistance to low income and other adversely affected consumers to assist with payments for drinking water and wastewater expenses by authorizing $1.5 billion for grants to states, territories and Indian Tribes.

In March, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security identified plumbing industry professionals as indispensable in its "Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response."

Associations Business Codes & Standards Contractors & Installers Engineers & Specifiers IAPMO Industry Community News Infrastructure Plumber Plumbing Safety Water Quality Wholesalers & Distributors COVID-19 Industry Announcements Health and Safety
  • Related Articles

    IAPMO-Backed Measures Included in U.S. Government Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

    White House Identifies Plumbers as 'Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers' in Guidance for Response to COVID-19

    IAPMO Implores Congressional Leaders to Support Associations and Professional Trade Organizations in Future COVID-19 Relief Legislation

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • James “Lukey” LaPorte Passes Away at His Home in Elmwood Park

  • Plumbing, HVACR Bright Spots in 2021

  • Operating Commercial Buildings with Confidence in the Age of COVID

  • Facets of Austin opens its renovated showroom designed to showcase only the products it sells with no distractions.

Featured Video

Sureseal video

SureSeal Floor Drain Trap Seal

Industry Events

  • 28Apr

    2021 BLUE HAWK Annual Conference

    Austin, TX
  • 12Oct

    BOILER 2021 – ABMA Boiler Technology Conference & Expo

    Dallas, TX
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw01 2021
    Learn More
  • Pe01 2021
    Learn More
  • Phc01 2021
    Learn More
  • Es07 2020
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2021 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing