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Congressmen Cohen and Cooper Urge Passage of Relief Legislation for Restaurant Workers and Entertainment Venue Employees

September 10, 2020

Nashville press conference calls attention to food service workers

MEMPHIS – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Jim Cooper today held a press event outside the Exit/In music venue in Nashville to call attention to four bills they have cosponsored that address the needs of restaurant and entertainment venue employees. Several business owners also participated.

The measures are H.R. 4258, the Save Our Stages Act, H.R. 7481, the RESTART Act, H.R. 7197, the Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act, and H.R. 7691, the Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Acts.

Congressman Cohen participated in the press conference virtually from Memphis. Afterward, he made the following statement:

"Opportunities like sharing meals with people and listening to music in a favorite venue have been shut off to patrons because of the pandemic. This is having a dire impact on those who rely on these industries for their livelihoods. As important as the music industry is to Tennessee, I'm surprised these measures have so far found no support from our Congressional delegation except from Jim and me. I hope calling attention to this crisis will result in some relief.

"Too many small restaurants are suffering greatly and are in danger of closing permanently. This will affect not just diners in Memphis and Nashville but the whole tourist industry."