National Restaurant Association Statement on Bipartisan Stimulus Proposal

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 1, 2020) – National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy released the following statement on today’s bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 relief proposal announcement:

“Once again, restaurants are dangerously close to being locked out of relief from Washington. Today’s compromise plan offers an excellent starting point. The National Restaurant Association appreciates the effort of this bipartisan group of Representatives and Senators, and we look forward to working toward a solution that prevents thousands of restaurants from closing this month.”

“The $908 billion stimulus proposal includes some much-needed short-term stopgaps that will help restaurants continue to serve their communities during the holiday season. The bill provides several of the tools that we proposed in our Blueprint for Restaurant Revival, including a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and temporary liability protections for operators.

“The restaurant industry has been the hardest hit by the pandemic and recent limitations in dozens of states are pushing operators beyond their limits to survive. We hope that after the holiday, Congress will be ready to discuss industry-specific solutions – including the Senate version of the RESTAURANTS Act – that will help the nation’s second largest private-sector employer contribute to its economic revival in 2021.”