Independent Operators

Restaurant industry praises Senate approval of $1.9T stimulus bill

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March 8, 2021

The $1.9 trillion stimulus bill the U.S. Senate passed on Saturday marks the largest antipoverty initiative in a generation, according to a report in The New York Times.

The National Restaurant Association, which has advocated for additional funds for restaurants, commended the Senate action, which increases funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

The House still needs to pass the bill, called the American Rescue Plan, before it heads to the president's desk for signage into law.

"The Senate passage of the American Rescue Plan means we have turned the corner and can see the finish line," Sean Kennedy, NRA executive vice president of public affairs, said in a prepared statement. "We appreciate leadership's continued support of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the other programs in this bill that will support restaurants across the industry to put us on the road to recovery. We also appreciate the Senate's action in increasing the size of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to $28.6 billion. We look forward to prompt consideration of the American Rescue Plan in the House."

The bill, which Republicans unanimously opposed, will provide one-time $1,400 direct payments to individuals making $75,000 or less, $300 a week through the summer for the unemployed, support for vaccine distribution and funds for schools, cities, states and small businesses.

The bill does not include a minimum wage boost to $15 and limits eligibility for stimulus checks, provisions included in the version the House passed the previous weekend.

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