[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H4197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JUDGE JACKSON DESERVES CONFIRMATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Strickland) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, I stand before you to talk about two 
topics: The confirmation of Judge Jackson, as well as the Restaurant 
Revitalization Fund.
  Judge Jackson is more qualified than the people with whom she will 
serve, and she is not soft on crime. It is why she has the endorsement 
of the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of 
Police Chiefs, hardly the radical left.
  As we look at the opportunity to make history, we want to make sure 
that our Supreme Court is representative and reflective of our entire 
Nation.
  Judge Jackson deserves confirmation. She has earned it, and she will 
be someone that we are proud to have on the Supreme Court.


                           Restaurant Relief

  Ms. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, this week is one to celebrate. After 
almost a year of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, the House will 
finally take up legislation to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization 
Fund and move us one step closer to getting much-needed relief for 
restaurants across the finish line.
  The funds provided by Congress in 2021 were a lifeline for so many 
businesses in Washington State and across our Nation. Restaurants were 
hit especially hard by highly transmissible COVID-19 variants, staffing 
shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation, which only added to the 
existing challenges and long-term effects that brought many to the 
brink of closing their doors for good.
  Restaurants have lost 2 years' worth of revenue, and it will take 
them years to recover and repay their debts. In fact, in Washington 
State alone, the average full-service restaurant reports being $160,000 
in debt, and it would take them over 3 years to repay it.
  I know how critical this second round of funding is because I 
regularly hear about it from my constituents. The south Puget Sound of 
Washington State is the proud home of so many small, local restaurants, 
including Vien Dong in the Lincoln International District and Budd Bay 
Cafe in Olympia, to name a few.
  Many businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet, and 
most were shut out from ever receiving relief in the first place.
  That is why on February 10, I led the Washington State delegation in 
sending a letter to congressional leadership urging them to replenish 
the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and help these employers and 
employees in need as soon as possible.

  These businesses are often neighborhood anchors and family-owned. 
They are often owned by women, veterans, minorities, and immigrants. 
They are a critical part of the south Sound and Washington State's 
economy. We must do everything we can to support them and push for an 
equitable and inclusive recovery.

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