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Larson: Restaurant Relief is Needed

September 25, 2020

Hartford, CT – During today's Ways and Means Select Revenue Subcommittee Hearing on "Restaurants in America During The COVID-19 Pandemic", Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) called for restaurant relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I have heard from restaurants all across the First District on the urgency of providing more relief to these businesses. Restaurants are vital to the character of our communities and we can't leave them behind. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 7197, The Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act of 2020 that would help independent restaurants deal with the long-term structural challenges facing the industry due to COVID-19.

"Women and people of color overwhelmingly make up the restaurant industry's workforce. As independent restaurants have been uniquely impacted by COVID-19 and forced to cut costs, women and people of color are losing their jobs at higher rates," said Larson. "We have seen the disproportionate health impacts this virus has had on our communities of color, and we are seeing the negative impact it's having on their economic security. Providing relief to restaurants will help in addressing these inequities."