U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner want to create a $120 billion revitalization fund to help independent restaurants survive the COVID-19 pandemic, as the industry confronts long-term structural challenges.
The Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act of 2020, which the Virginians are cosponsoring, would support the re-employment of 11 million workers.
“Virginia’s independent restaurants have been especially hurt by the coronavirus emergency and require much-needed relief,” Kaine and Warner said in a statement Tuesday. “This bill can help save restaurants across the commonwealth by offering the critical assistance needed to cover costs of operations and supporting staff.”
The legislation has bipartisan support to “help millions of restaurants from closing their doors for good,” the two Democrats said.