House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer has introduced the Entrepreneurs Need Timely Replenishment for Eating Establishments Act, which seeks to assist American restaurant owners who are struggling to stay open.
If passed, the ENTREE Act will provide $60 billion to the Small Business Administration’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which will be paid for by rescinding money from unspent Economic Injury Disaster Loans and state and local funds within President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The Act will also increase oversight responsibilities and audit requirements for the SBA to safeguard American taxpayer dollars, eliminate preferential treatment for priority groups, and require all applications to be received, reviewed, processed, and disbursed on a first come, first served basis.
"From the beginning, Committee Republicans have pushed for additional RRF funding to ensure all American restaurant owners, no matter their background, receive the assistance they need to once again open their doors and provide for their communities," said Ranking Member Luetkemeyer. "To replenish the RRF, we should be using unspent allocated dollars rather than continuing to recklessly print more money, which has led to widespread inflation. As Republican Leader of the Small Business Committee, I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this legislation so restaurant owners everywhere can receive the assistance they so desperately need."
Related: Restaurant Revitalization Fund Portal Will Be Disabled; SBA Revokes Additional Restaurant Revitalization Funds.