(Houston, TX) – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) hosted a roundtable with local restaurant owners to discuss the continued challenges facing the industry as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect Houston.  Congresswoman Fletcher and the participants also discussed how Congress can better support them during this time and through recovery. 

“Dining out is a part of our way of life in Houston.  We love our restaurants and the people who work there, and we know they are hurting in this pandemic,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “That’s why I was grateful to check in with restaurant owners from across our district to hear how they are doing right now, and what I can do to help.” 

“Those of us in the restaurant industry are natural do’ers.  We remain flexible and have adjusted to the rules and guidelines thrown at us.  In a time that we all very much feel in the dark, Congresswoman Fletcher has been a bright spot.  Not only has she kept us updated with what’s going on in DC but she, very importantly, has kept an open line of communication.  Right now, that’s what we are looking for in our industry,” said John McAleer, Owner of Buffalo Grille. 

“I very much appreciate Congresswoman Fletcher making the time to speak with a small group of us and hearing our pain points. While the meeting was done virtually, it felt very personable. She shared how she has done a lot of take-away from local restaurants during this time. It is reassuring to know that she understands that the support for small business starts at a grass roots level. I feel like she heard us and our concerns. I also greatly appreciate all Congresswoman Fletcher has done for the industry to date, like cosponsoring the Restaurants Act,” said Puja Verma, Director of Operations, Kiran’s Restaurant & Lounge. 

“I so appreciate Congresswoman Fletcher hosting a forum for restaurant operators in our district.  The discussions were both informative and sincere,” said Gary Adair, Owner of Adair Family Restaurants. 

“Our great city of Houston, TX has always had one of the most vibrant and varied restaurant scenes in the country. We are a huge city made up of ‘small towns.’ Our mom and pop restaurants are at the heart of what helps define Houston,” said Brock Silverstein, Owner of Pecan Creek Grille.  “As mom and pop restaurant owners, my wife Stacey and I are glad that Congresswoman Fletcher has taken the time to hear from her business constituents and we are confident that she will work for us in Washington and work for our great city’s small restaurants!”

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher has worked in Congress to make sure small businesses and restaurants in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District are supported through this pandemic.  She is a co-sponsor of H.R. 7197, the RESTAURANTS Act, to provide additional support to independent restaurants through the establishment of a $120 billion grant fund.  She also introduced H.R. 6754, the Protecting the Paycheck Protection Program Act, to ensure small businesses can deduct expenses paid for by a PPP loan, and H.R. 7928, the LIFT UP Act, to extend six months of debt forgiveness for disaster loan holders that pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic.