[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 119 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H2598-H2599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ASSISTING INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I am proud of the rapid action that 
the House took--$3 trillion approved on a bipartisan basis with the 
Senate. And we have moved forward with the HEROES Act, another $3 
trillion that is pending action. We fixed the PPP to better meet the 
needs of small businesses, but one area needs special attention.

[[Page H2599]]

  Madam Speaker, over 500,000 independent restaurants with 11 million 
employees are going to face catastrophic consequences this year. In 
April alone, one-half of the unemployed, 5.5 million people, were from 
the independent restaurants area. Without special, tailored Federal 
help, we are going to see 85 percent of them disappear for good.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have introduced, on a bipartisan 
basis, the RESTAURANTS Act, H.R. 7197, which would establish a $120 
billion fund tailored to provide assistance for independent 
restaurants.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to talk to their independent 
restaurants, the cornerstone of a vital community. If we act now, we 
can save them yet this year, a vital element in each and every one of 
our communities.
  Madam Speaker, the H.R. 7197, the RESTAURANTS Act, will provide 
massive support at a time when it is needed.

                          ____________________