U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today joined Governor Phil Murphy at East Rutherford’s Vesta Wood Fired Pizza for the enactment of S-2364, a bill extending permissions for restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to continue utilizing outdoor dining in New Jersey. The permissions were set to expire November 30, 2022 but will now be extended by two additional years to support the food and beverage industry, patrons, and local communities by facilitating opportunities to serve customers outdoors.

“The pandemic hit our state hard. To keep our communities safe and our economy running, our Democratic Congress passed the American Rescue Plan to deliver needed relief. That plan provided over $10 billion for New Jersey which helped establishments like Vesta Wood-Fired in East Rutherford stay afloat,” said Congressman Pascrell. “I commend Governor Murphy for taking further action today to provide additional relief for New Jersey restaurants. In Congress, I helped pass the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard-Hit Industries Act to provide an additional $55 billion for small businesses impacted by COVID. I’ll continue to push the Senate to pass our bill, but in the meantime it is encouraging to know our small businesses have a staunch supporter like Governor Murphy here in the Garden State.”

“My Administration worked in collaboration with the Legislature to support the restaurant industry and their customers by expanding outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue that support today by extending these expanded permissions for food and beverage establishments throughout our state,” said Governor Murphy. “Supporting the success of our small businesses ultimately means supporting the success of our communities. Continuing this successful practice will not only benefit small business owners, but also the many patrons who have come to enjoy the atmosphere and opportunities outdoor dining offers.”

In March 2021, Congressman Pascrell helped pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) which provided more than $10 billion to New Jersey. Vesta Wood Fired Pizza was a direct beneficiary of the ASP, having received a total of $230,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Businesses in New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District are estimated to have received $1,688,542,004 for 2020 and $961,627,974 for 2021 through PPP funds. The ARP also established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District received approximately a total of $108,852,496 through the RRF.