Congresswoman Stansbury Calls for Further Federal Relief During Restaurant Revitalization Roundtable
Rep. Stansbury met with local restaurant owners, highlighting $55 billion headed to New Mexico to support restaurants and small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) held a roundtable discussion with owners of local restaurants on the need for further federal pandemic relief funding. During the community discussion, Rep. Stansbury highlighted the $55 billion in funding from the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard-Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022, legislation she cosponsors and voted to pass in the House of Representatives earlier this month.
“During National Small Business Week, I heard from local restaurant owners about the urgent need to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund,” said Rep. Stansbury. “Our small businesses are the foundation of New Mexico’s economy but have struggled to survive while facing the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why I was proud to co-sponsor the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act, and why I continue to urge the Senate to deliver $55 billion in critical relief for restaurants and small businesses in New Mexico.”
“Many of us have poured our lives into keeping our businesses afloat the last three years while struggling to keep up with unrelenting rent, utilities and debt service payments,” said Skye Devore, co-owner of Tractor Brewing. “While our businesses are grateful for the federal and state dollars that have helped sustain many of us thus far, we urgently need additional relief funding from the federal government, and we encourage the Senate to pass the Relief for Restaurants and Hard-Hit Small Businesses Act. I appreciate Congresswoman Stansbury's assistance as she has championed our industry at the state and federal levels.”
The Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022 provides $42 billion to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund allowing the Small Business Administration to process relief applications from over 170,000 eligible businesses that were not previously able to access support. The legislation is paid for with the funds reclaimed from bad actors attempting to defraud taxpayers by taking advantage of previous pandemic relief programs.
More information on the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022 is available here.