Despite pleas from Wisconsin restaurant and small business owners, Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and Senate Republicans today blocked legislation to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund — a vital resource that would help Badger State restaurants struggling to recover from the pandemic.
For months, small business owners from across Wisconsin have lobbied Senate Republicans and Ron Johnson to take up a relief bill that “would have funded the 265,000 restaurants and bar operators” that were initially denied funding. But on Thursday, thanks to the votes of 48 Republicans, they saw their work go up in smoke.
During Johnson’s time in office, he has time and time again opposed Democratic efforts to lower costs for working families and instead, defended the multimillion-dollar tax giveaway he secured for himself and the billionaire megadonors who are funding his 2022 reelection campaign.
Johnson has repeatedly refused to help Wisconsinites over the past year:
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Johnson told Wisconsin parents he won’t lower child care costs.
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Johnson told Wisconsin workers he “wouldn’t insert [him]self” to protect and secure 1,000 Wisconsin jobs. Because in his words “it’s not like we don’t have enough jobs here in Wisconsin.” He was later called out by UAW workers who slammed Johnson and made clear the Senator isn’t “well informed on the situation.”
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Johnson failed Wisconsin’s dairy industry by opposing $20 million in pandemic rescue funds for the industry, under the American Rescue Plan.
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And now, Johnson has today taken yet another vote contrary to the interests and wishes of Wisconsin small business owners, killing a grassroots small business movement that would ensure hundreds of Wisconsin restaurants have the resources they need to keep their doors open.
