Food & Beverage

NRA pushes recessed Congress for relief deal by year's end

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October 28, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent the Senate into recess Tuesday, for two weeks until Nov. 9, still without any type of recovery bill that might help financially stressed restaurants and Americans as a whole.

With a harrowing rise in coronavirus sweeping through many parts of the country, and no deal on any sources of aid for the unemployed or restaurateurs, the National Restaurant Association late Tuesday released its view of the inaction. Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy released the following statement:

"Today, the future for restaurants across the country is a lot more uncertain because Congress has walked away without passing the relief needed to survive the winter," NRA Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy said in a released statement from the association.

"Between now and when Congress returns to Washington after the election, restaurants will close, putting people out of work, damaging local economies, and discouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship that drives the industry.

"If Congress and the Administration are unable to come together on a large-scale deal that includes the Senate version of the RESTAURANTS Act, then they must focus on the art of the possible. There are options on the table with bipartisan support which would provide short-term solutions for restaurants most at risk.

"A second round of Paycheck Protection Program eligibility, expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit and correction of the tax deductibility with PPP loan forgiveness would help restaurants survive until an industry-specific solution can be agreed on. These options should be at the top of the list when Congress returns for the lame duck session."

Kennedy said the entire restaurant industry is unstable with all types of concepts suffering severely. Last month alone, 32 states lost restaurant jobs, and a survey indicates 40% of restaurateurs said that without federal government relief they probably will be out of business by spring.

"We know that Congress and the Administration understand the challenges facing our industry, which is why they must work with us to prioritize passing legislation before the end of the year," the NRA said in the statement.