Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswomen Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), along with Representatives Richard E. Neal (MA-01), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), William Keating (MA-09), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to swiftly replenish the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).

The lawmakers’ letter comes as Massachusetts restaurants continue to struggle amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with many at risk of closing if the RRF is not refilled.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate our communities and put the survival of these small businesses and their workers on the line,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter. “Restaurateurs and their staff have worked throughout the pandemic, sacrificing of themselves, providing essential services, and feeding our communities. The federal government has a responsibility to fully fund the RRF and prevent any further closures, layoffs, and losses for our hard-working restauranteurs and dedicated workers.”

The American Rescue Plan provided nearly $28.6 billion of critical economic relief to restaurants struggling to keep their doors open since the start of the pandemic, but due to high demand, the RRF was not able to meet the full needs of restauranteurs. In Massachusetts, over 3,400 restaurants – 23 percent – have closed their doors, with 13 percent of Black-owned restaurants closed for business and 44 percent uncertain about their ability to reopen. Of the restaurants that remain open, nationwide an estimated 82 percent of restaurant and bar owners think they will have to close if the RRF is not replenished.

In their letter, the lawmakers specifically urged Leadership to prioritize bills led by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) in the House and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) in the Senate that would replenish the RRF.

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