New Jersey's congressional delegation is working to get relief for the restaurant industry.

Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, as well as members of Congress from both parties, participated in a discussion with the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association via Zoom. One-half of restaurants in New Jersey are considering temporarily shutting down due to the pandemic.

"For a lot of restaurants, even to temporarily close, they're still paying rent, they're paying insurance, they're paying so many fixed costs, with no revenue coming in, it makes it a much riskier proposition as to whether they will be able to reopen once the either the state or the national circumstances make it easier for them to consider reopening,” says Sean Kennedy, the executive vice president of National Restaurant Association.

Sen. Menendez says he wants federal stimulus to also include rental and eviction protections and expanded unemployment benefits, along with aid to restaurants.