- President Trump has issued an Executive Order declaring December 24, 2020, as a federal holiday for pay and leave purposes.
- Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a 1-week stopgap bill (CR) to fund the government through December 18, 2020, thereby averting the threat of a shutdown.
- A budget deal to fund the government through September 2021, does not (at this time) contain an extension of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (FFCRA COVID Leave), which expires on December 31, 2020, therefore, an employee would be required to utilize their own leave, or receive approval for Weather & Safety Leave, to cover any absences for COVID-19 related matters. This expiration does not affect employees who file for benefits under OWCP, as employment-related exposures which result in a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 would qualify the employee for all OWCP benefits, to include COP & LWOP.