Fitzpatrick, Wicker seek $60B more to support restaurant revitalization

Bipartisan, bicameral legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) would pump an additional $60 billion in appropriations into the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which supports restaurants impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The mom and pop diners and delis on Main Street all across America still need our help and we must act urgently to save our local restaurants,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said.

More than 362,000 eligible businesses — including restaurants, bars, food trucks, caterers, tasting rooms, and taprooms — applied for nearly $75 billion in assistance from the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of 2021, H.R. 3807/S. 2091, would replenish the federal relief program with $60 billion in additional funds, according to the lawmakers’ offices. 

“The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is a vital, financial lifeline for our independent, local restaurants that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Due to the overwhelming demand for relief, Congress must work together on a bipartisan basis to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund as soon as possible.” 

Rep. Fitzpatrick on June 11 signed on as the original cosponsor of H.R. 3807 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). H.R. 3807 currently has more than 100 other cosponsors. Sen. Wicker on June 16 joined eight other original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), and bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) to introduce the companion bill, S. 2091, in their chamber.

“The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided a lifeline for America’s small and independent restaurants,” Sen. Wicker said. “Our restaurants are now beginning to recover from a year of lost revenue, but many establishments are still hurting and have not been able to access aid for which they are eligible. Replenishing this fund would help restaurants, their staff and the broader food supply chain as they continue to get back on their feet.”

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act is endorsed by the Independent Restaurant Coalition, the National Restaurant Association, the Brewer’s Association, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the James Beard Foundation, the Beer Institute, the Wine Institute, and WineAmerica.