Thompson, Evans introduce bill to support grocery, convenience store workers

On Tuesday, Representatives Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and Dwight Evans, D-Pa., introduced the Giving Retailers and Our Convenience Employees Relief Act, or GROCER Act.

The bill would establish a federal tax holiday for grocery and convenience store employees from Feb. 15 through June 15 for individuals making less than $75,000 annually. The bill would also provide discretion to the Treasury to extend this benefit for an additional three months.

"Grocery and convenience store workers are among the unsung heroes of our battle with COVID-19 and have played a vital role in the national food supply chain," said Thompson. "The GROCER Act is a simple way of saying ‘thank you' to the men and women who put themselves on the front lines, sanitizing, stocking, and serving communities by putting a little more of their hard earned money back in their paychecks."

Evans agreed.

"Our grocery and convenience store employees are serving on the front lines, making sure the rest of us have the food and other crucial supplies we need to get through this pandemic," said Evans. "This bipartisan four-month income-tax holiday would be a way to thank these vital workers and help them meet their own needs."