Representative Angie Craig Helps Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Support Small Businesses Still Recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC —Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig supported bipartisan legislation to help small businesses recover from the pandemic and continue to grow and support American communities. The Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act would provide an additional $42 billion in funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), secure $13 billion to support other hard-hit small businesses that experienced major revenue loss during the pandemic and support entertainment venues that are the heart of American communities.

In order to help cover the cost for these vital programs that support deserving businesses, the legislation would repurpose reclaimed and seized funds from fraudulent actors who sought to take advantage of previous pandemic relief programs.

"As our economy continues to emerge from the immense damage of the COVID-19 crisis, our hardest hit small businesses – including restaurants, bars, food trucks and more – are still fighting to recover from their losses and get back on their feet," said Representative Craig. "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. And today, I am proud to join my colleagues in working to deliver essential support to those who were unable to access relief previously so that they can keep their workers employed, serve American communities and continue to support our economic recovery."

At the urging of Representative Craig and her colleagues, the American Rescue Plan Act established the RRF program – allocating $28.6 billion to support local bars, restaurants and eateries that were impacted by COVID-19. Craig also helped create the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, which provides emergency assistance grants to venues that were unable to operate during the pandemic. However, due to extremely high demand and limited funding levels, the Small Business Administration (SBA) was unable to assist a large portion of applicants who applied for the targeted assistance provided by these relief programs.

For the past year, Craig has prioritized expanding and extending relief programs targeting small business and other venues to ensure that entrepreneurs across the country can access the support and relief they deserve. Last year, Craig led a bipartisan group of more than 100 Members urging House leadership to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program. She also led more than 200 of her House colleagues in a letter to the SBA urging immediate action to stabilize and improve the SVOG program.

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