Representatives comment on restaurant legislation

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently joined three other lawmakers in a statement urging Congress to replenish the relief fund for local restaurants.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on May 12 that the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) received more than 147,000 applications requesting $29 billion in relief funds.

RRF opened on May 3 and has distributed $2.7 billion to 21,000 restaurants.

“We knew this rescue program would see high demand given the intense need during the economic crisis,” the lawmakers said. “While our work to prioritize those most in need – including the smallest businesses and priority groups identified in the legislation – appears to be successful in the first round, the extraordinary demand for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund shows that Congress must do more to help. We need to work swiftly in a bipartisan way to replenish this critical fund so that all local restaurants can access the relief required for a full recovery.”

The administration set aside $500 million for eating establishments with 2019 gross receipts less than $50,000; and $4 billion for businesses with 2019 gross receipts between $500,000 and $1.5 million.

The other lawmakers signing the statement were U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).