On the Senate's failure to replenish Restaurant Revitalization Fund

On the Senate's failure to replenish the SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and provide needed relief to other hard-hit industries, including live venues and gyms, Main Street Alliance’s Policy and Political Impact Director, Didier Trinh had this to say:

“The Senate had the simple task today of helping Main Street restaurants, and bars across the country stay open during a still-ongoing pandemic nearly a year after emergency funding ran out within weeks. The bipartisan Small Business COVID Relief Act (S. 4008), sponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), would have provided $40 billion in grants to cover all eligible applicants that did not receive any assistance. As part of Main Street Alliance Small Business Month Action, MSA members from Wisconsin traveled to Capitol Hill to urge Senators to act. The first and only round of RRF met less than a third of the demand. After hanging on for another year, hurting restaurants and bars throughout America, especially in rural communities,  may not see any relief despite the House passing a bill just last month to put more money into the RRF. The fate of these small businesses – including ones owned by women and people of color that were left behind – will be tied to those Senators who voted down this lifeline today.”

###