Congressman Steven Horsford Advocates for Nevada’s Restaurant Workers Facing Challenges in Coronavirus Pandemic

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) took part in a Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee hearing to discuss challenges faced by the country's food service industry and examine potential solutions in federal tax policy to assist restaurants and their employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, the restaurant industry experienced years of steady growth, recording the longest-running economic expansion in our nation's history. Almost overnight, the coronavirus outbreak forced several restaurants to suspend business and fundamentally changed others to alter their operations.

Restaurants make up a strong portion of Nevada's economy with more than 5,980 restaurants and food service outlets and employs 219,200 individuals. Nevada suffered greatly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state estimated a nearly 17.3 percent drop in food services and drinking places compared to this time last year.

Congressman Horsford and his colleagues posed questions to six experts in the food service industry, including Mario Sandoval, a constituent of Nevada's fourth district who was laid off from Binion's Steakhouse in Las Vegas at the start of the pandemic. Mario testified to the uncertainty he faces as a restaurant worker and its impact on his ability to care for his family.

A transcript of the Congressman's remarks can be found below:

Thank you for allowing me to participate, Mr. Chairman.

I'd assume most, if not all, Americans know that Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world.

Our specialty is hospitality, particularly our top-notch restaurants that people from all across the world come to Las Vegas to enjoy.

But let's clear, it's because of the people, the workers, who provide this unparalleled service that nearly 40 million people visit our community, so I want to thank them.

I know this first-hand because before coming to Congress, I am proud to have run the Culinary Training Academy, which helps to train thousands of people and the greatest hospitality workers that go on to work in our casinos, restaurants, and hotels.

But the coronavirus has hit the Southern Nevada economy unlike anything I've seen before resulting in record high unemployment rates this summer at over 30 percent.

98 percent of the Culinary Union workers were furloughed from their jobs in March and about 50 percent remain are still not working today.

That is why I'm so proud that Mario, who has worked for Binion's Steakhouse for nearly 33 years in Downtown Las Vegas, is here speaking on behalf of millions of restaurant workers that are still struggling because the restaurant industry is one of the last industries to get back on its feet.

So Mario, I want to give you the opportunity, as I'm probably one of the last speakers, to tell us why you matter, why restaurant workers matter, why Congress needs to step up and act and protect our citizens from this health and economic pandemic right now.

We don't get to hear too often enough from the everyday people who are struggling from this pandemic.

I know that you were part of the fight in Nevada to win a historic COVID-19 health and safety law that ensures hospitality workers have stronger protections at work. Congratulations on that new law – it's the first in the nation and I hope that Congress will act as well.

So Mario, I know you are laid off and are fighting for the Right to Return to your job. Can you share with us: Why is the Right to Return important?

Can you also share with us what it means to you personally regarding housing, healthcare, putting food on the table, and providing for yourself and your family if Congress does not deliver another stimulus check or extend federal unemployment benefits?

Finally, how will my bills, the Worker Health Protection Act, to cover COBRA benefits, and the Get Back on Your Feet Act, to extend unemployment and provide a ‘back to work' bonus to those who can safely return to work -- what do those bills mean to you?

We agree and we're going to keep fighting.

I'm willing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the isle, the House, the Senate and the White House. We have to come together and agree on a compromise.

It must put workers first. Yes, it can help small businesses and restaurants too, but let's do both and let's do it now.

A video of the Congressman's remarks can be watched and downloaded here.