Coalition Letter to Congress to Extend CARES Act Section 3610

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed his administration’s first major piece of legislation, the American Rescue Plan, which appropriates $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief to aid small businesses, public schools, state governments and government contractors impacted by COVID-19. The Security Industry Association (SIA) strongly supported passage of this relief and stimulus package as urgently needed to address the COVID-10 pandemic and help businesses struggling under its economic impact.

One element of the legislation extends authorities established by Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Sept. 30, which allows agencies to pay and reimburse federal contractors unable to work on site due to the pandemic. In a Feb. 25 letter, SIA and other business groups representing contractors urged Congress to extend Section 3610 in this legislation.  

The coalition letter, signed by SIA and other groups, including CompTIA, the Information Technology Industry Council and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, emphasizes the importance of Section 3610 to federal agencies in managing their total workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and urges Congress to include a government-wide extension in any bill enacted prior to the March 31, 2021, expiration of this vital authority.