TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS:
The undersigned organizations urge you to include targeted and temporary liability protections as you consider President Biden’s COVID relief package. As the Administration strives to reopen schools, protect our nation’s health and strengthen our economy, these critical protections will help safeguard educational institutions, healthcare providers, businesses and non-profit organizations from unfair lawsuits.
The COVID-19 virus continues to rage throughout this country, presenting once-in-a-generation public health and economic challenges. Despite these difficulties, the development and distribution of vaccines give new hope for a future free of the crushing social and economic effects of the virus. Unfortunately, for many who remain on the front lines and continue to serve our communities during this pandemic, the threat of unfair litigation continues to loom. In 2020, over $23 million was spent by plaintiffs’ firms on COVID-19-related lawsuit advertisements, a clear indication that an influx of litigation is coming. As employers, educational institutions, and others answer President Biden’s very appropriate call for face coverings and other protective steps, they should not have to worry that their actions will invite costly and unnecessary litigation.
The time for federal action implementing liability protections from such litigation is now. We thus urge you to include balanced liability relief provisions similar to last Congress’ SAFE TO WORK ACT (S. 4317) in any further COVID-19 relief legislation. We believe that legislation in this space should ensure that unfair lawsuits will not hamper those who work to comply with applicable government guidelines. We also believe these protections should be limited in duration and scope in addition to preserving reasonable recourse for those harmed by truly bad actors.
Ensuring a bright post-pandemic future for our country’s healthcare, business, and non-profit communities is a bipartisan objective. In the last round of COVID-19 relief negotiations, we were encouraged to see lawmakers from both sides of the aisle recognize the need for targeted and temporary liability relief. Lawmakers must come together now and ensure that the entities who continue to serve and protect their communities during this pandemic are themselves protected from unfair and harmful lawsuits.
In the wake of prior crises, Congress came together to pass needed liability protections with strong bipartisan support because lawmakers understood the acute threat of lawsuits at moments of maximum economic vulnerability. That threat is present again now. As such, Congress must take strong action now and provide a national baseline of liability protection during this national pandemic to prevent an influx of lawsuits from inhibiting our return to a robust economy and healthy citizenry.
Sincerely,
U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Academy of General Dentistry
Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce
AdvaMed - Advanced Medical Technology Association
Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Aerospace Industries Association
African American Chamber of Commerce Western PA
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Airlines for America
Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association
Alameda Chamber of Commerce
Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce
Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association
Albany Area Chamber of Commerce
Alle Kiski Strong Chamber
Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing
American Bakers Association
American Bankers Association
American Business Conference
American Car Rental Association
American Council for Capital Formation
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Council on Education
American Dairy Coalition
American Dental Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Foundry Society
American Gaming Association (AGA)
American Health Care Association (AHCA) & National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)
American Hotel and Lodging Association
American Institute of CPAs
American International Automobile Dealers Association
American Mold Builders Association
American Property Casualty Insurance Association
American Rental Association
American Seniors Housing Association
American Society of Travel Advisors
American Tort Reform Association
American Waterways Operators
America’s Health Insurance Plans
America’s SBDC
Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce
Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce
Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce
AR State Chamber/AIA
Ardmore Chamber of Commerce
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association
Arkansas Hospitality Association
Asian American Hotel Owners Association
Associated Builders & Contractors Empire State Chapter
Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas
Associated Builders & Contractors South Texas Chapter
Associated Builders & Contractors West Tennessee Chapter
Associated Builders & Contractors, Illinois Chapter
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Builders and Contractors Alabama Chapter
Associated Builders and Contractors Central California Chapter
Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Texas
Associated Builders and Contractors of Cumberland Valley
Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan
Associated Builders and Contractors of MN/ND
Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio Valley
Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma
Associated Builders and Contractors of San Diego
Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia
Associated Builders and Contractors of Western PA
Associated Builders and Contractors Southern California Chapter
Associated Builders and Contractors Western Washington
Associated Builders and Contractors, Delaware Chapter
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. New Orleans-Bayou Chapter
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors
Associated Wire Rope Fabricators
Association of American Universities
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania
Association of Washington Business
Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Auto Care Association
Automotive Recyclers Association
Azusa Chamber of Commerce
Barrow County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Battery Council International
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Beaver County Chamber of Commerce
Bellaire Chamber of Commerce
Bend Chamber of Commerce
Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce
Billings Chamber of Commerce
Biocom California
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce
Blair County Chamber of Commerce
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Boise Metro Chamber
Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce
Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce
Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin (BCAW)
Box Elder Chamber of Commerce
Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce
Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce
Business Council of Alabama
Business Roundtable
Butler County Chamber of Commerce
Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Hotel & Lodging Association
CAMBA and CAMBA Housing Ventures
Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce
Campbell Chamber
Capital Region Chamber
Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
Carmel Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Carson City Chamber of Commerce
Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Central Chamber
Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Chamber of Shipping of America
Chamber630
ChamberWest Chamber of Commerce
Chandler Chamber of Commerce
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce
Christian County Chamber of Commerce
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
City of Umatilla Chamber of Commerce
Civil Justice Association of California
Coalition of Franchisee Associations
Cobb Chamber
Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
Columbus (TX) Chamber of Commerce
Commerce Lexington
Committee of 100 for Economic Development
Community Associations Institute (CAI)
Connecticut Lodging Association
Construction Industry Round Table
Consumer Bankers Association
Corvallis Chamber of Commerce
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Covington County Chamber of Commerce
Credit Union National Association
CrossState Credit Union Association
CTIA
Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
Davis Chamber of Commerce
Deadwood Gaming Association
Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Detroit Regional Chamber
Dooly County Chamber of Commerce
Edison Electric Institute
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce
El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce
Eldorado County Chamber of Commerce
Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Encinitas Chamber of Commerce
Enterprise Chamber of Commerce
Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Exceed Enterprises
Explore Schuylkill
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Family Business Coalition
Farmington Chamber of Commerce
Federation of American Hospitals
Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce
Flora, IL Chamber of Commerce
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Florida Chamber of Commerce
Florida Justice Reform Institute
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
FMI Food Industry Association
Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce
Forum for Community Leaders
Franchise Business Services
Fremont Chamber of Commerce
Frisco Chamber of Commerce
Gallup McKinley County Chamber of Commerce
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Gateway Chambers Allliance
GAWDA
General Contractors Association of Pennsylvania
Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
Glass Packaging Institute (GPI)
Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association
GLMV Chamber of Commerce
Global Business Travel Association
Global Cold Chain Alliance
GOA Regional Business Association
GPA Midstream Association
Grand Rapids Chamber
Grapevine Chamber of Commerce
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
Greater Bakersfield Chamber
Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater East Mountain Chamber (aka Edgewood Chamber of Commerce)
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce
Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Hammond Chamber
Greater Houston Partnership
Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Greater KC Chamber of Commerce
Greater Kings County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce
Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Louisville Inc., The Metro Chamber of Commerce
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Greater Ontario Business Council
Greater Phoenix Chamber
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce
Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Greater Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce
Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce
Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce
Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce
Hayward Chamber of Commerce
HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ)
Healthcare Leadership Council
Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International
HEB Chamber of Commerce
Henderson Chamber of Commerce
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Hospitality Maine
Hospitality Minnesota
Hotel Association of New York City
Hotel Association of Washington DC
Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry
Idaho Chamber Alliance
Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Association
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Civil Justice League
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Illinois Restaurant Association
Independent Electrical Contractors
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America
Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association
Information Technology Industry Council
Insurance Agents & Brokers of Maryland
Insurance Agents & Brokers of Pennsylvania
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
International Association of Movers (IAM)
International Association of Plastics Distribution
International Council of Shopping Centers
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Housewares Association
International Sign Association
International Warehouse Logistics Association
Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
ISSA - The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association
Jackson Chamber of Commerce
Jackson Hole Chamber Of Commerce
Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce
JAX Chamber
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Kauai Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Keystone Contractors Association
Klamath County Chamber of Commerce
Kodiak Chamber of Commerce
Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce
Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce
Lake Township Chamber of Commerce
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
Leading Builders of America
LeadingAge
Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce
Licking County Chamber of Commerce
Lima/Allen County Chamber Of Commerce
Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce
Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce
Lodi District Chamber of Commerce
Logan County Chamber Of Commerce
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed)
Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense
Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Loveland Chamber of Commerce
Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
Malibu Chamber of Commerce
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
Manufactured Housing Institute
Manufacturer & Business Association
Marana Chamber of Commerce
Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Hotel Lodging Association
Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce
Massachusetts Lodging Association
Maui Chamber of Commerce
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA)
Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce
Meridian Chamber of Commerce
Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Mesquite NV Chamber of Commerce
Metals Service Center Institute
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Minnesota Retailers Association
Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Missouri Retailers Association
Missouri Tire Industry Association
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Molalla Area Chamber of Commerce
Monroe Chamber of Commerce
Montana Lodging & Hospitality Association
Montebello Chamber of Commerce
Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
Nampa Chamber of Commerce
National Air Carrier Association
National Apartment Association
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Electrical Distributors
National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC)
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents
National Association of Security Companies
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Business Aviation Association
National City Chamber of Commerce
National Club Association
National Community Pharmacists Association
National Cotton Council
National Fastener Distributors Association
National Franchisee Association
National Grocers Association
National Limousine Association
National Marine Distributors Association
National Multifamily Housing Council
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National RV Dealers Association (RVDA)
National Small Business Association
National Tooling and Machining Association
NC Chamber
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Nebraska Hotel & Lodging Association
Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association
Nevada Resort Association
New Hampshire Grocers Association
New Jersey Civil Justice Institute
New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association
New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce (NORBCC)
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
NFIB
NJ State Chamber of Commerce
NMA
Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
Norco Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Norman Chamber of Commerce
North American Die Casting Association
North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
North Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce
North Country Chamber of Commerce
North Orange County Chamber
North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
North San Diego Business Chamber
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Northville Chamber of Commerce
Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association
Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association
Oklahoma Retail Merchants Association
Orange County Business Council
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association
Oregon State Chamber
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce
Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce
Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Oxnard Chamber of Commerce
PA Aggregates & Concrete Association
PA Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns
PA Council of Children, Youth & Family Services
PA Family Support Alliance
PA Restaurant & Lodging Association
Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce
Palmdale Chamber of Commerce
Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers
Pennsylvania Bankers Association
Pennsylvania Bus Association
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform
Pennsylvania Dental Association
Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
Pennsylvania Health Care Association
Pennsylvania Medical Society
Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association, Inc.
Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs
Peoria Chamber of Commerce
Pet Industry Distributors Association
Peters Township Chamber of Commerce
Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce
Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
PIA MidAmerica
Plastics Industry Association
Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association
Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce
Power and Construction Group
Precision Machined Products Association
Precision Metalforming Association
Prescott Chamber of Commerce
PRINTING United Alliance
Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA)
Professional Beauty Association
Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce
Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, Inc
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce
Redding Chamber of Commerce
Regional Chamber of Commerce - San Gabriel Valley
Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce
Retail Association of Maine
Retail Merchants of Hawaii
Rhode Island Hospitality Association
Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce
Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce
Rowan Chamber
Rowlett Chamber of Commerce
S Corporation Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Salt Lake Chamber
San Benito Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce
San Mateo Chamber of Commerce
San Pedro Chamber of Commerce
San Ramon Chamber of Commerce
Sanger Chamber of Commerce
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce
Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce
Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce
Seaside Chamber of Commerce
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
Slavic-American Chamber of Commerce
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Somerset County PA Chamber of Commerce
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association / Myrtle Beach Hospitality
South Carolina Trucking Association
South Dakota Retailers Association
South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
South Gate Chamber Of Commerce
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
South Valley Chamber of Commerce
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
Southwest California Legislative Council
Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce
Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce
Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce (Missouri)
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce (Oregon)
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
St. Louis Area Hotel Association
Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce
Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce
Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Summerfield Civic Association
Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber Of Commerce
Taos County Chamber Of Commerce
Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce
Tempe Chamber of Commerce
Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association
Terrell Chamber of Commerce
Texas Civil Justice League
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
Texas Retailers Association (TRA)
The Aluminum Association
The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
The Chamber Grand Forks / East Grand Forks
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County
The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce
The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
The State Chamber of Oklahoma
The Travel Technology Association
Tigard Chamber of Commerce
Tile Roofing Industry Alliance
Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce
Traverse Connect
Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tri-County Chamber Alliance
Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
Truck Renting and Leasing Association
Tulare Chamber of Commerce
Umatilla Chamber of Commerce
United Chambers of Commerce
United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
USTelecom - The Broadband Association
Utah Tourism Industry Association
Vail Valley Partnership
Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA)
Vegas Chamber
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association
Washington Hospitality Association
Washington Retail Association
Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce
West Shore Chamber of Commerce
West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance
West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce
Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA)
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce
Winnie Area Chamber Of Commerce
Winona Area Chamber of Commerce
Wisconsin Association of Mutual Ins. Cos.
Wisconsin Civil Justice Council
Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association
Worldwide ERC®
WP Chamber of Commerce
Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association
Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce
York County Economic Alliance
Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
