National Restaurant Association says House vote to pass Bush tax cuts will help nation's restaurants, their employees

(Washington, DC) Saying it will greatly help the nation's largest private sector employer - the nation's 844,000 restaurants and their 11.3 million employees - the National Restaurant Association today applauded the House of Representatives for voting 230-198 to return part of the government surplus to those who helped create it and allow hardworking Americans the ability to keep more of the money they earn.

The National Restaurant Association strongly supports the Bush tax plan, and representatives from the restaurant industry were front-and-center this week as the tax plan was considered in the House of Representatives.

Today, a dozen waiters and waitresses joined with House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and other high-ranking GOP leaders to support tax cuts and urge the House to pass H.R. 3, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act. And on Tuesday, Scott Willis, a waiter from J.R.'s Stockyards Inn in Tysons Corner, Virginia joined with House Majority Leader Rep. Richard Armey (R-TX) at a press conference to explain how restaurant industry employees like him would benefit from President Bush's plan. Willis is a single father - he has a 9-year old son - and pays between $2800-$2900 in federal taxes each year. Under the Bush plan, he would save approximately $500.

National Restaurant Association President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson said this example it-and-of-itself underscores the significance of the Bush tax plan and what it will mean to the restaurant and foodservice industry.

"Politicians are quick to reference 'hard working individuals.' Our industry employs 11.3 million such people, and that's why we strongly support the passage of this bill. Restaurant owners and their employees alike will benefit from this measure, and we urge the Senate to act as expeditiously as the House and pass this pro-employer, pro-employee tax cut package as soon as possible."