The U.S. House of Representatives has passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, reports Nation’s Restaurant News. This package includes $25 billion in relief for small restaurants and raising the minimum wage to $15. Also included are $1,400 relief checks for Americans and funds for vaccine distribution.
“With their vote, we’re one step closer to vaccinating the nation, one step closer to putting money in pockets of Americans, one step closer to millions of Americans feeding their families, and one step closer to getting state and local governments what they need to prevent massive layoffs of frontline workers,” President Biden said in a press conference Saturday morning. “Now the bill moves to the U.S. Senate where I hope we receive quick action.”
The $25 billion relief package for small and mid-sized restaurants is based on the original $109 billion RESTAURANTS Act passed by the House last year. It provides up to $5 million in grants for individual restaurants, bars, caterers, breweries, and tasting rooms and up to $10 million for restaurant groups. One-fifth of the funding is set aside for businesses that grossed less than $500,000 in receipts in 2019.
“With today’s vote, we have finally set the table for a first course of urgently needed aid,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who wrote the original restaurant relief proposal. “As we hopefully return to normal later this year, this legislative lifeline could spell the difference between survival of some of our most cherished local restaurants and losing them forever.” Full Story
Related: Report: Workers Report Declining Tips After COVID Surcharge; CA Relief Package Includes $2 Billion in Grants for Small Businesses.