Political Quotes

“Well, I thank my good friend from Maryland for offering this UC, and strongly and fervently support it. I have been proud to join Senators Cardin and Sinema in leading the fight to provide direct relief to this industry. We all know restaurants were particularly hard hit during COVID, and the idea that they have all recovered is just so far from the truth. You know, any business where people had to gather were hit hard--hit the hardest; restaurants at the very top of the list, and they are a lifeblood to our cities and our communities. They, of course, are a place where people get food, but they get community. They join together. They feel roots. Whether it is a small town or a large city, restaurants in neighborhood after neighborhood, community after community, are often the glue that make communities tick; and they were hurt. The funds that we provided, provided a lifeline to 100,000 applicants across the country. In my State of New York, $3.6 billion went to 9,775 restaurants. But the job wasn't done. They ran out of money long before restaurants were helped. And anyone who thinks our restaurants are out of trouble, I just ate at one last night--a Polish couple in Greenpoint--lovely little restaurant: Are you hurting? Yes; we might go under. And this story could be repeated in restaurant after restaurant after restaurant. In New York, 27,000 restaurants are waiting in desperation. These are hard-working people--very hard-working people. They struggle.…”