Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) voted against the House Democrats' Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act that adds funding to a program that has left thousands of eligible applicants behind.

"Many restaurants hurting from pandemic-related shutdowns in south central Kansas were left without help from a restaurant revitalization fund because of the Democrats' rigged preferential treatment scheme that was found unconstitutional," said Rep. Estes. "Now, as these same restaurants are struggling with the rising high cost of food prices since President Biden took office, Democrats are doubling down on their illegal scheme to pick winners and losers. Instead, I'm working to reduce inflation and have cosponsored the common sense ENTRÉE Act that is fully paid for and requires all applications to be reviewed, processed and disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis."

The Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act passed the House 223 to 203.

Courts have already ruled against the constitutionality of the restaurant revitalization portion of President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act, citing arbitrary distinctions that would qualify some restaurant owners for relief while disadvantaging other owners. As reported by Forbes, the court wrote, "The stark realities of the Small Business Administration's racial gerrymandering are inescapable. Imagine two childhood friends—one Indian, one Afghan. Both own restaurants, and both have suffered devastating losses during the pandemic. If both apply to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the Indian applicant will presumptively receive priority consideration over his Afghan friend. Why? Because of his ethnic heritage." Additionally, the arbitrary rules don't take into account a restaurant's employees or the communities they serve.

The Entrepreneurs Need Timely Replenishment for Eating Establishments (ENTRÉE) Act was introduced by Small Business Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri) and has 94 cosponsors. It would provide $60 billion to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), all fully paid for by rescinding money from unspent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and state and local funds within President Biden's reckless American Rescue Plan. The bill would also increase oversight responsibilities and audit requirements for the SBA to safeguard American taxpayer dollars and eliminate preferential treatment for priority groups.