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A wide range of sectors are hurting and requesting help from the U.S. government, as Americans cut back on traveling, shopping, dining out and other activities due to the coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The amount that trade groups have requested totals at least $2.3 trillion, based on a review of some top associations’ letters to Washington officials and their news releases. That suggests industry groups are on track for disappointment, as the latest estimates for a congressional stimulus package that’s being negotiated by Republicans and Democrats range from $1.6 trillion to $2 trillion, and part of that spending would be aimed at households rather than companies.
Read more: McConnell, Pelosi say deal on coronavirus stimulus is close
Here are some of the requests from the trade groups that are lobbying Congress and President Donald Trump:
• Manufacturers ask for $1.4 trillion: The National Association of Manufacturers in a news release has called for the federal government to create a “Manufacturing Resiliency Fund” that would include $1.4 trillion in loans to “provide desperately needed liquidity to manufacturers and small businesses.”
• Travel industry seeks $250 billion: Among the relief measures requested by the U.S. Travel Association is a “$250 billion Travel Workforce Stabilization Fund to keep workers employed,” the trade group said in a news release.
• Mayors ask for $250 billion: The U.S. Conference of Mayors in a letter has asked for $250 billion in “flexible, emergency fiscal assistance” that would “allocated directly to cities” to help public health departments, displaced workers, small businesses, food insecurity and substance abuse programs and other efforts.
• Restaurants ask for $145 billion: Among the relief measures requested by the National Restaurant Association in a letter is a “$145 billion Restaurant and Foodservice Industry Recovery Fund” that would be used to pay employees, maintain operations and “meet transactional and financial obligations.”
• Health-care groups seek $100 billion: The American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association said in a letter that “Congress should allocate $100 billion to frontline health-care personnel and providers, including physicians, nurses, hospitals and health systems.”
• Aerospace industry requests $60 billion: Boeing Co. BA, +15.65% has said it supports “a minimum of $60 billion” in government aid to help the aerospace industry weather the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
• Airlines ask for $58 billion: The airline industry JETS, +19.28% in a letter has requested $25 billion in immediate grants for carriers, $4 billion for cargo carriers, and $29 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
• Native American casinos seek $18 billion: The National Indian Gaming Association in a letter has asked for “no less than $18 billion in direct federal aid” to “address significant shortfalls in tribal government revenue” and avoid cuts in basic services.
• Labs request $5 billion: The American Clinical Laboratory Association, whose members include Quest Diagnostics DGX, +1.64% and LabCorp LH, +8.66% , have asked in a letter for an “Emergency Laboratory Surge Capacity Fund of $5 billion.”
• Museums seek $4 billion: The American Alliance of Museums has said it has asked for “at least $4 billion for nonprofit museums” in any COVID-19 economic relief legislation.
• Amtrak asks for $1 billion: Amtrak, the national railroad, has said it needs a $1 billion bailout from the government, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
