Sinema's Restaurant Rescue Plan Now Law

Press Release

Last week, the coronavirus relief legislation--shaped by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema--was signed into law, establishing Sinema's Restaurant Rescue Plan originally proposed in her bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act. Sinema's Restaurant Rescue Plan establishes $28.6 billion in direct coronavirus coronavirus relief for independent Arizona restaurants to keep Arizonans employed.

"Arizona restaurants fuel jobs across our state, and these employers need support now more than ever. Our Restaurant Rescue Plan will get Arizonans back to work and ensure local Arizona restaurants can keep their doors open as we continue to address the ongoing pandemic and lay the groundwork for a full economic recovery," said Sinema.

Restaurants are a driving force in Arizona's economy. In 2019, Arizona restaurants created 310,600 food service and related jobs and were responsible for 11% of employment in the state. However, across the country restaurants have been uniquely devastated by COVID-19. In April alone, 5.5 million restaurant workers lost their jobs. Without federal relief, another 11 million restaurant workers stand to lose their jobs permanently.

The coronavirus relief bill signed into law establishes a formal $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund, as proposed by Sinema's bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act. Restaurants do not need to pay back their grants and can use the funding for payroll, benefits, mortgages, rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies, protective equipment, cleaning materials, food, paid sick leave, and any other expenses deemed essential.

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