Meng Supports Legislation to Help Independent Food and Drinking Establishments Impacted by COVID-19

Statement

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today she has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to establish a fund for struggling food and drinking establishments that have suffered economic losses due to COVID-19.

The Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act of 2020 (H.R. 7197), would create a $120 billion restaurant stabilization grant program to help independent restaurants deal with the long-term structural challenges facing the industry, and ensure that they can re-employ 11 million workers. Unlike any other industry, restaurants have been uniquely devastated by the coronavirus with millions of restaurant workers losing their jobs due to the pandemic.

"Saving independent food and drinking establishments will literally save millions of people's livelihoods which is why I've cosponsored the bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act," said Meng. "In Queens and across New York City, restaurants and drinking establishments play a vital role in providing jobs and contributing to our region's economy. Failing to help these types of venues will greatly harm our borough and country's recovery, and the lives of so many who are part of the service industry. I urge all my colleagues to support this critical bill."

Under the legislation, funding would be made available to food service or drinking establishments, including caterers, that are not publicly traded or part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name. The fund would provide grants to cover the difference between revenues from 2019 and projected revenues through 2020, with a maximum grant amount of $10 million. The fund would be administered by the U.S. Treasury Department, and money received from it would not need to be paid back.

The fund would also set aside $60 million for outreach to traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities, with a focus on women, veteran, and minority-owned and operated eligible entities.

Eligible expenses would include payroll, benefits, mortgage, rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials), food, debt obligations to suppliers, and any other expenses deemed essential by the Treasury Secretary.

The RESTAURANTS Act is sponsored in the House by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). A Senate version of the measure is sponsored by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Source