b'THE MARITIME TRANSPORTATIONPVA continued to work hard to impress upon SYSTEM ECONOMIC RELIEF ACT (MTSERA) lawmakers and government officials the Congress has already approved the Maritime TransportationSystemEmergencyReliefeconomic plight of the domestic passenger Act.It is included as a part of the much largervessel industry and the urgent need for Defense Authorization.Known as the DeFazio amendment,itwouldauthorizetheU.S.additional federal economic stimulus measures.MaritimeAdministration,intheeventofa natural disaster or pandemic, to provide grants,PresidentTrumphassaidthathewillvetoA veto override vote may occur in the week after contracts, or other financial assistance to certainthe Defense legislation because of provisionsChristmas.entitiesengagedinmarinetransportationunrelated to MTSERA.If he carries through ofcargoorpassengers,toshipyards,andtowith this intent, it appears that there are enoughTHE CERTS ACTcompanies that provide goods or services tovotes in the House and Senate to override hisPVAsBoardofDirectorshasendorsed marine transportation operators. veto, thereby enacting the legislation into law.enactment of the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act.It is bipartisanlegislation,sponsoredbySenators Reed (Democrat of Rhode Island) and Collins (Republican of Maine).A version of the CERTS Act has been included in the proposed bipartisan attention to detail compromisediscussedabove.Ifenacted, CERTSwillprovide$8billioninemergency economic relief funding, in the form of grants (no less than 50% of total funding) and other economic assistance, through the Department of the Treasury, to motorcoach operators, school bus companies, and U.S.-flagged passenger vessel operators.PVAS CONTINUED ADVOCACYThroughoutthemanymonthsoflackof progress in Washington on negotiating the next coronaviruseconomicstimuluslegislation, PVAcontinuedtoworkhardtoimpress upon lawmakers and government officials the economic plight of the domestic passenger vessel industryandtheurgentneedforadditional www.beurteaux.com federaleconomicstimulusmeasures. PVAs goalhasbeenforthenextformsoffinancial assistancetobeavailabletoallmembers, vesseloperatorsandassociatesalike.Anyof themeasuresdiscussedabovecouldprovide useful financial relief. PVA does not favor one approach over another, but advocates for them all.Perhaps by the time you read this article, some of these proposed measures will be on the verge of enactment into law.RELIABLE POWER FOR APVA WELCOMESDEMANDING SCHEDULEYour business cant compromise when it comes toNEW MEMBERmaintaining a demanding schedule. Thats why customers count on reliable John Deere PowerTech marine engines. With high torque and low-rated rpm,LEAP AGENCYJohn Deere engines deliver dependable power andMr. Matthew Taylor quiet operation. Louisville, KY Associate Member Full power range of marine engines 60 to 559 kw (80 to 750 hp) www.leapagency.comJohnDeere.com/MarineDEC 2020 43 NEWSWIRE'