"How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts Your Business," a webinar co-convened on April 16 by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and many of its plumbing and mechanical industry partners and led by Glenn Spencer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Employment Policy Division senior vice president, attracted a large audience of business owners and employees seeking guidance on employment issues precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recording of the webinar may be viewed at: https://youtu.be/_3nWAl_HRvw.

Spencer, who oversees the Chamber's work on wage hour and worker safety issues, state labor and employment law, among other things, discussed recent legislation enacted to help businesses and their employees weather the negative economic impact of the coronavirus: the Family First Coronavirus Response Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the CARES Act (federal resources for businesses and individuals). Spencer also previewed additional measures being negotiated by Congress and participated in a Q&A with attendees.

Spencer fielded numerous questions about the PPP, a new $349 billion rescue-loan program operated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that has been so popular the SBA announced Thursday it is no longer accepting applications, as funding has already been exhausted. Although, it is widely believed Congress will infuse the program with more funding in the coming week.

"We are overwhelmed by the support demonstrated by attendance and active participation in yesterday's webinar," said Dain Hansen, IAPMO's executive vice president of government relations. "It is clearly evident that issues surrounding COVID-19 hang over every business decision. We had a compelling dialogue, fielding a lot of questions from individuals across the industry, who are doing all they can to continue protecting the public health and safety during this unsettling time."

IAPMO was joined by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA) as co-conveners.