Restaurant Aid Package

The Senate may soon test the bipartisan limits on pandemic spending as Democratic leaders prepare to bring to the floor a small-business aid package with provisions that have independently enjoyed support from both parties.  The package includes $40 billion to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Congress enacted that grant program in a 2021 pandemic relief package (PL 117-2) with a $28.6 billion appropriation, but only one-third of qualified applicants received money before the funds were depleted, but the package faces Republicans opposition unless offsets can be found to pay for the package.