WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act, bipartisan legislation to provide comprehensive relief and recovery measures for the convention, trade show, entertainment, travel, and hospitality industries and their workers.

“Many industries involving tourism and travel were the first to be hurt by COVID-19 and could be the last to fully recover,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill provides help to some of the hardest hit businesses, encourages employee retention, and incentivizes families to travel when it is safe to do so.”

This bill would:

  • create new recovery incentives for hospitality and trade shows,
  • extend the employee retention tax credit to reduce layoffs and keep Americans employed,
  • offer a perishable food and beverage credit to help small businesses cover costs of inventory lost during COVID closures, and
  • provide a tax credit for middle class families to jumpstart travel when safe.

The bill is endorsed by a number of other associations and coalitions focused on hospitality and tourism including U.S. Travel, the American Gaming Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and the National Restaurant Association. It is also backed by Sara Otte Coleman, North Dakota’s Tourism Director.

“The travel and hospitality industry continues to see devastating losses due to the pandemic,” said Director Coleman. “We appreciate the perseverance and bipartisan leadership of  Senator Cramer and Senator Cortez Masto in seeking support for hospitality business.  The Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would also provide smart incentives to get Americans back on the road and in air. This bill will improve the outlook for the 3,000 small businesses in North Dakota that depend on travelers.”

Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV), Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Click here to learn more and here for full text of the bill.