Congress is proposing much-needed relief for restaurants devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The foodservice industry employs 10 percent of the U.S. workforce, and forced closures of restaurants have had a ripple effect on farmers, fishermen, distributors, and truckers that rely on them. Restaurants across the country are being required by health regulations to significantly limit their "in house" dining capacity, forcing them to increasingly rely on takeout and delivery. Under these conditions, many will not survive the year without government assistance.

$120 Billion in Relief

The "Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive Act of 2020," or the "Restaurants Act of 2020," would establish a $120 billion fund to be administered by the U.S. Treasury (the "Fund") for structured relief to foodservice or drinking establishments through Dec. 31, 2020. See Senate bill S. 4102 and House of Representatives bill H.R. 7197. Any amounts remaining in the Fund after Dec. 31, 2020, would be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.