PKG: restaurants push for federal relief

PKG: restaurants push for federal relief

Bars are among some of the hardest hit businesses during this pandemic.

That's why restaurants are calling on the federal government to include relief specifically for independently- owned restaurants.

Abc 36's monica harkins talked to industry leaders in kentucky who say losing just one restaurant has a butterfly effect throughout the state.

L3: abc 36 news white ky.

Restaurants push for federal relief l3: abc 36 news white ouita michel chef, owner l3: abc 36 news white ky.

Restaurants push for federal relief l3: abc 36 news white ky.

Restaurants push for federal relief ### "ouita michel, chef: we have to step up and support small places in our communities all across the country, or we're going to lose them."

A cry for help from independently- owned restaurants across the country "nat pop from video: .."threatens to close 85% of independent restaurants."

The crisis led to the creation of the independent restaurant coalition...a national organization pushing for passage of the restaurants act...a $120 billion dollar grant program ouita: the restaurants act helpsbuild us a bridge.

Through this pandemic to the other side, so we can keep our restaurant community alive."

Ouitia michel chef and restaurant owner in central kentucky is specifically calling on senate majority leader mitch mcconnell of kentucky to hear kentuckians plea and to include the act...in the next stimulus package.

Ouita: it gives the people of this state that uniqueopportunity to really make their voices heard.

And that is whywe're really reaching out in kentucky."

In the commonwealth bourbon and restaurants go together.

And a household name in the bourbon world is pappy's...from old rip van winkle distillery...preston van winkle is using his platform to help the cause.

6 sec"preston van winkle: "just being in a position to have a little bit of a voice.

We're going to do everything we can."

Van winkle says distilleries might not be hit as hard right now...but if restaurants don't get help... "van winkle: the trickle down effect is going to be massive," lost tourism, jobs, and joy.

" ouita: in our country right now we're so divided.

Me the most joy, is to serve others and to try to bring them a measure of happiness i mean that is something that's very unique about the restaurant business, we're really in the business of making people happy, to nourish them and feed them."

It's called comfort food for a reason....and michel and van winkle hope congress can help save thousands from this current state of uncomfortable.in lexington monica harkins abc 36 news.

### thanks, monica.

Negotiations did start up again today on that relief bill, but it seems like there will be some challenges to getting it passed quickly...particula rly over the $600- dollar-per-week supplemental jobless benefit that just expired.

Republicans want to cut it to $200 a week.... while democrats want to keep it at 600 through january.

### testing is underway