TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS:
The undersigned organizations urge you to support the timely, targeted, and temporary liability relief provisions contained in S. 4317, the “SAFE TO WORK Act.” These crucial protections would safeguard healthcare workers, providers, and facilities, as well as businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions against unfair lawsuits so they can continue to contribute to a safe and effective economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation is critically needed and should be enacted as soon as possible. To that end, we strongly urge you to support the inclusion of these provisions in a Phase IV COVID-19 relief package.
Healthcare workers and facilities continue to work tirelessly to protect us from COVID-19 and provide care and treatment to those who become ill. Likewise, businesses and non-profit organizations of all types and sizes continue to adapt in incredible ways to safely provide their communities with much-needed goods and services, in addition to keeping workers employed and the American economy afloat. But, as those workers and businesses keep our communities safe and provided for, our members and constituencies remain concerned that, despite doing their best to follow applicable government guidelines, they will be forced to defend against an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits. Unfortunately, this concern has already begun to materialize.
COVID-19-related lawsuits and their consequent exorbitant legal costs could deter entities from reopening and could ultimately cripple businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations both large and small. Furthermore, absent the proposed liability protections, many frontline healthcare workers and facilities, as well as manufacturers of critical personal protective equipment, would be punished for their efforts in the form of costly lawsuits.
The temporary and targeted liability relief provisions contained in S. 4317 are balanced and would ensure that unfair lawsuits against those who work to comply with applicable governmental guidelines do not impede the American people’s health, social, and economic recovery. Importantly, the protections contained in this legislation are limited in duration and scope. They are not permanent changes to federal law. Furthermore, they allow states to provide additional protections if they so choose and, critically, preserve reasonable recourse for those harmed by truly bad actors.
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, perhaps more than ever. As such, now is the time for Congress to take strong action and provide a national baseline of protection during this national pandemic to stop a growing wave 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 AdvaMed - Advanced Medical Technology Association |
Aeronautical Repair Station Association |
Aerospace Industries Association Agricultural Retailers Association |
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) |
Airlines for America |
Airports Council International - North America |
Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association |
Alabama Retail Association |
Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association |
Albany Area Chamber of Commerce |
Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce |
Alliance for Automotive Innovation |
Alliance of Wisconsin Retailers |
America's Health Insurance Plans |
America's SBDC |
American Academy of PAs |
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) |
American Bakers Association |
American Bankers Association |
American Beverage Licensees (ABL) |
American Business Conference |
American Car Rental Association |
American Chemistry Council |
American Council for Capital Formation |
American Council of Engineering Companies |
American Council of Life Insurers |
American Dental Association |
American Farm Bureau Federation |
American Forest and Paper Association |
American Foundry Society |
American Frozen Food Institute |
American Gaming Association (AGA) |
American Gas Association |
American Health Care Association (AHCA) & National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) |
American Hotel & Lodging Association |
American Institute of CPAs |
American International Automobile Dealers Association |
American Medical Association |
American Mold Builders Association |
American Property Casualty Insurance Association |
American Rental Association |
American Resort Development Association |
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) |
American Staffing Association |
American Supply Association |
American Tort Reform Association |
American Trucking Associations (ATA) |
American Veterinary Medical Association |
AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology |
Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce |
Argentum |
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association |
Arizona Retailers Association |
Arkansas Hospitality Association |
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA |
Asian American Hotel Owners Association |
Associated Builders and Contractors |
Associated Builders and Contractors - Greater Tennessee |
Associated Builders and Contractors - South Texas Chapter |
Associated Builders and Contractors Central California Chapter |
Associated Builders and Contractors of New Mexico |
Associated Builders and Contractors of San Diego |
Associated Builders and Contractors of Western PA |
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin |
Associated Equipment Distributors |
Associated General Contractors of America |
Associated Wire Rope Fabricators |
Association of Lodging Professionals |
Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry |
Association of Washington Business |
Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce |
Auto Care Association |
Automotive Recyclers Association |
Bandon Chamber of Commerce |
Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce |
Beer Institute |
Bend Chamber of Commerce |
Billings Chamber of Commerce |
Biocom – Life Science Association of California |
Biotechnology Innovation Organization |
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association |
Boise Metro Chamber Bossier Chamber of Commerce |
Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin (BCAW) |
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB |
Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce |
Business Roundtable |
Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau |
California Hotel & Lodging Association |
California Retailers Association |
CAMBA and CAMBA Housing Ventures |
Carson City Chamber of Commerce |
CCIM Institute Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance |
Central Chamber of Commerce |
Central Fort Bend Chamber Central LARegional Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Hawaii |
Chamber Of Commerce Of Cape Coral |
Chamber of Shipping of America |
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance |
Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Chehalem Chamber of Commerce |
Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry |
Civil Justice Association of California |
Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce |
Coalition of Franchisee Associations |
Colorado Chamber of Commerce |
Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association |
Colorado Retail Council |
Columbia Chamber of Commerce |
Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) Committee of 100 for Economic Development |
Community Associations Institute |
Connecticut Lodging Association |
Connecticut Retail Merchants Association |
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce |
Construction Industry Round Table |
Consumer Bankers Association |
Consumer Technology Association |
Convenience Distribution Association |
Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers |
Covington County Chamber of Commerce |
Credit Union National Association |
CTIA-The Wireless Association |
Deadwood Gaming Association |
Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association |
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce |
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States |
Edison Electric Institute |
Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance |
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) |
Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association (EMDA) |
Explore Charleston |
Exton Region Chamber of Commerce |
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce |
Family Business Coalition |
Federation of American Hospitals |
Florida Chamber of Commerce |
Florida Justice Reform Institute |
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association |
Florida Retail Federation |
FMI - The Food Industry Association |
Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association |
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce |
Forum for Community Leaders |
Franchise Business Services |
Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey |
Gallup McKinley County Chamber of Commerce |
Gases and Welding Distributors Association |
Georgia Chamber of Commerce |
Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association |
Georgia Retailers |
Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) |
Global Business Travel Association |
Global Cold Chain Alliance |
GPA Midstream Association Granbury Chamber of Commerce |
Graphic Arts Association |
Graphic Media Alliance |
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. |
Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber |
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce |
Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Inc. |
Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association |
Greater New Orleans, Inc. |
Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce |
Greater Topeka Partnership |
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC |
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce |
HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) |
Healthcare Leadership Council |
Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International |
Hospitality Maine |
Hospitality Minnesota |
Hotel Association of New York City |
Hotel Association of Washington DC |
Humboldt Chamber of Commerce |
Idaho Chamber Alliance |
Illinois Chamber of Commerce |
Illinois Civil Justice League |
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association |
Illinois Retail Merchants Association |
Independent Bakers Association |
Independent Electrical Contractors |
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America |
Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Alliance |
Independent Petroleum Association of America |
Indiana Chamber of Commerce |
Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association |
Indianola Chamber of Commerce |
Industrial Fasteners Institute |
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) |
Institute of Real Estate Management |
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions |
International Association of Plastics Distribution |
International Caterers Association International Council of Shopping Centers |
International Dairy Foods Association |
International Foodservice Distributors Association |
International Franchise Association |
International Housewares Association |
International Sign Association |
International Warehouse Logistics Association |
International Wood Products Association |
Iowa Gaming Association |
Iowa Retail Federation |
Irrigation Association |
ISSA - The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association |
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce |
Job Creators Network |
Kansas Chamber & Kansas Retail Council |
Keizer Chamber of Commerce |
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce |
Kentucky Retail Federation |
Kentucky Travel Industry Association |
Klamath County Chamber of Commerce |
Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce |
Latino Hotel Association |
Leading Builders of America |
LeadingAge |
LeadingAge Texas |
League City Regional Chamber of Commerce |
Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce |
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) |
Louisiana Casino Association |
Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense |
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch |
Louisiana Retailers Association |
Lowcountry Hospitality Association |
Lubbock Chamber of Commerce |
Mansfield Area 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 |
Maryland Retailers Association |
Mason City Chamber of Commerce |
Massachusetts Lodging Association |
McAllen Chamber of Commerce |
Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) |
Metals Service Center Institute |
Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce |
Michigan Chamber of Commerce |
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association |
Michigan Retailers Association |
Midwest Food Products Association |
Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce Minnesota Chamber of Commerce |
Minnesota Retailers Association |
Mississippi Economic Council - the State Chamber |
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
Missouri Retailers Association |
Missouri Tire Industry Association |
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce |
Montana Chamber of Commerce |
Montana Lodging & Hospitality Association |
Montana Manufacturing Association |
Montana Retail Association |
Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce |
Motion Picture Association |
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association |
Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce |
Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce |
National Air Carrier Association |
National Apartment Association |
National Association of Broadcasters |
National Association of Chain Drug Stores |
National Association of Chemical Distributors |
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 REALTORS® |
National Association of Security Companies (NASCO) |
National Association of Theatre Owners |
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors |
National Automobile Dealers Association |
National Business Aviation Association |
National Business Coalition on E-Commerce & Privacy |
National Community Pharmacists Association |
National Cotton Council |
National Council of Chain Restaurants |
National Demolition Association |
National Electrical Contractors Association |
National Fastener Distributors Association |
National Franchisee Association |
National Grocers Association National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) |
National Limousine Association |
National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association |
National Marine Distributors Association |
National Mining Association |
National Multifamily Housing Council |
National Ocean Industries Association |
National Office Products Alliance |
National Propane Gas Association |
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association |
National Restaurant Association |
National Retail Federation |
National Roofing Contractors Association National RV Dealers Association (RVDA) |
National Shooting Sports Foundation |
National Small Business Association |
National Tooling and Machining Association |
National Waste & Recycling Association |
NC Chamber Legal Institute |
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry |
Nebraska Grocery Industry Association |
Nebraska Hotel & Lodging Association |
Nebraska Retail Federation |
Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association |
Nevada Resort Association |
New Hampshire Retail Association |
New Jersey Civil Justice Institute |
New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association |
New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Association |
New Jersey Motor Truck Association |
New Jersey Retail Merchants Association |
New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce |
New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry |
New Mexico Retail Association |
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce |
New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association |
News Media Alliance |
NFIB |
NH Grocers Association |
Norman Chamber of Commerce |
North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) |
North American Die Casting Association |
North American Meat Institute |
North Carolina Chamber |
North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association |
North Carolina Retail Merchants Association North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce |
North Country Chamber of Commerce |
North Dallas Chamber of Commerce |
North Myrtle Beach Chamber/CVB |
North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce |
Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association |
Office Furniture Dealers Alliance |
Ohio Chamber of Commerce |
Ohio Council of Retail Merchants |
Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association |
Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association |
Oklahoma Retail Merchants Association |
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association |
Oregon State Chamber of Commerce |
Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association |
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce |
Pacific Printing Industries Association |
Paperboard Packaging Council |
Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce |
Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers |
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry |
Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform |
Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association |
Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association |
Pennsylvania Retailers Association |
Pennsylvania's Americana Region Visitors Bureau |
Pet Industry Distributors Association |
Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) |
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America |
Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce |
Physician Assistant Education Association |
PIA MidAmerica |
PINE (Printing Industries of New England) |
Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) |
Plumbing Manufacturers International |
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association |
Portland Cement Association |
Precision Machined Products Association |
Precision Metalforming Association |
Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia |
Printing Industries Alliance |
Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Southern California |
Printing Industry Midwest |
PRINTING United Alliance |
Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) |
Professional Beauty Association (PBA) |
Reinsurance Association of America |
Retail Association of Maine |
Retail Association of Nevada |
Retail Council of New York State |
Retail Merchants of Hawaii |
Retailers Association of Massachusetts |
Rhode Island Hospitality Association |
Round Rock Chamber |
Rowlett Chamber of Commerce |
RV Industry Association |
S Corporation Association San Antonio Chamber of Commerce SC Retail Association SC Trucking Association |
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce |
Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association |
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) |
Security Hardware Distributors Association |
Shelton-Mason County Chamber |
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council |
Society for Human Resource Management |
Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) |
Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® |
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce |
South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association |
South Dakota Retailers Association |
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce |
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce |
Southern Oregon Solutions |
Specialty Equipment Market Association |
Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce |
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce |
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce |
St. Louis Area Hotel Association |
St. Louis Regional Chamber |
State Chamber of Oklahoma Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce |
Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (TLMI) |
Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce |
TechNet |
Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association |
Texans for Lawsuit Reform |
Texas Alliance for Patient Access |
Texas Civil Justice League |
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association |
Texas Retailers Association |
The Aluminum Association |
The American Waterways Operators |
The Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution |
The Chamber Grand Forks / East Grand Forks |
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce |
The Fertilizer Institute |
The Hardwood Federation The Longview Chamber |
The Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce |
The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. |
The Real Estate Roundtable |
The Transportation Alliance |
The Travel Technology Association |
Tile Roofing Industry Alliance |
Truck Renting and Leasing Association |
Tulsa Regional Chamber |
Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce |
Umatilla Chamber of Commerce |
Utah Tourism Industry Association |
Vail Valley Partnership |
Vegas Chamber |
Vermont Chamber of Commerce Victor Chamber of Commerce |
Virginia Chamber of Commerce |
Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association |
Virginia Retail Federation |
Virginia Retail Merchants Association |
Washington Hospitality Association |
Washington Liability Reform Coalition |
Washington Retail Association |
West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce |
West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association |
Western Equipment Dealers Association |
Western Garfield County Chamber of Commerce |
Western Growers |
Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) |
Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association |
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce |
Window and Door Manufacturers Association |
Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. |
Wisconsin Agri-Business Association |
Wisconsin Civil Justice Council |
Wisconsin Dairy Alliance |
Wisconsin Grocers Association |
Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association |
Wisconsin Independent Businesses |
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce |
Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) |
Worldwide ERC® |
WV Retailers Association |
Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association |
