Scalise Joins Efforts to Replenish, Fix Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Program

Press Release

Today, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced he is joining the Entrepreneurs Need Timely Replenishment for Eating Establishments (ENTRÉE) Act as a cosponsor. The ENTRÉE Act, introduced by Republican Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), provides critical assistance to American restaurants working tirelessly to serve their employees and communities across the country.

"Our neighborhood restaurants continue to struggle as COVID restrictions come back in many areas of the country. Since the beginning of COVID, I pushed to ensure restaurants received the help they needed in relief packages like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so they can keep their doors open throughout the brutal stretches of the pandemic. Today, many of those same small businesses are counting on us to deliver for them once again. This is why I have cosponsored the ENTRÉE Act to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and make needed reforms to the program. By repurposing unspent COVID relief dollars to the RRF, this bill provides a sensible alternative to help restaurants keep their lights on and pay their employees as they work around the clock to serve their communities and get back on their feet," said Whip Scalise.

"From the beginning, Republicans have pushed for additional RRF funding to ensure all American restaurant owners, no matter their background, receive the assistance they need to once again open their doors and provide for their communities. To replenish the RRF, we should be using unspent allocated dollars rather than continuing to recklessly print more money, which has led to widespread inflation. I want to thank Congressman Scalise for his support, and I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this legislation so restaurant owners everywhere can receive the assistance they so desperately need," said Ranking Member Luetkemeyer.

Click here to read more about the ENTRÉE Act.

Groups Supporting the ENTRÉE Act:

"We appreciate Rep. Scalise's support of the vital funding the ENTRÉE Act would provide to complete the mission of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. He knows first-hand how hard Louisiana restaurants have been hit by the pandemic and that this bill has the power to put nearly 3,000 small business owners in communities across the state back on solid ground," said Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, National Restaurant Association.

"The Louisiana Restaurant Association appreciates the engagement of Minority Whip Scalise in helping our industry access critical funding for restaurants, bars and other hospitality operations. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was underfunded compared to the demand. Over 60% of applicants received no grant dollars and many of them are continuing to struggle to survive. We support Congressman Scalise working with his colleagues to consider dollars previously appropriated but unused to be redirected to this program so vital to our industry. Placing up to $60 billion in the RRF grant program will provide applied funding to support those almost 180,000 applicants who received nothing,"said Stan Harris, President & CEO, Louisiana Restaurant Association.

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