Restaurant Revitalization Fund Renewal Fails In U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate failed to pass a new round of pandemic relief for restaurants late last week. The $40 billion renewal of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) failed along with the broader Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022, which gained 52 yes votes in the chamber, short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.

“A bipartisan majority voted to begin debate on this critical legislation, but it wasn’t the 60 votes needed,” said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of public affairs for the National Restaurant Association (NRA). “While there are valid questions about government spending and inflation, restaurants should not be caught in the crossfire.”

Last year’s American Rescue Plan established the RRF with $28.6 billion in funding—saving more than 900,000 jobs, according to the NRA—but failed to fully address the plight of restaurant operators around the country owing to the pandemic. Out of more than 278,000 restaurants that applied for RRF funds, only 101,000 received aid before the funding was depleted.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Revitalization Fund

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