U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on Dec. 21 voted to pass the combined COVID-19 pandemic relief and fiscal year 2021 government funding bill, which includes relief he helped secure for restaurants and their employees. The legislation is headed to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“It shouldn’t have taken so long for Congress to come together and agree on this package, but I’m thankful that much-needed relief is finally on its way to hardworking Buckeyes struggling with the impact of this pandemic,” Rep. Joyce said. “This legislation will help provide our communities with the tools and resources they need during these tough times and support Ohioans as they battle the impact this virus has had on their health and economic security.”
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133, includes language from the Supporting America’s Restaurant Workers Act, a bill Rep. Joyce supports that will provide a 100-percent deduction for business meal expenses through the end of 2022. Currently, the deduction is available for 50 percent of such expenses. The adjustment in the deduction will lead to more customers and increased revenue for restaurants and their employees during the pandemic, Rep. Joyce’s office said. The U.S. Senate version, S. 4319, was introduced in July by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Rep. Joyce on Dec. 19 introduced his chamber’s version of the bill.
The congressman also applauded inclusion in H.R. 133 of $3 billion for the Relief Provider Fund to provide grants to hospitals and health systems; $284 billion for another round of Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans; $82 billion to make schools and colleges safer for in-person learning; and $8.75 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support federal and state efforts to procure and distribute vaccines, among other provisions.
“With vaccines being distributed across the country, there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Rep. Joyce. “The relief in this bill will ensure our small businesses, workers, healthcare professionals, students, and families have what they need to keep their heads above water until we defeat this virus once and for all.”