ADVOCACY
ACSA’s Legislative Affairs Committee, in conjunction with its lobbyist on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., works tirelessly to promote a sound business climate for the craft spirits producer. Its current focus is on the reduction of the onerous Federal Excise Tax (FET), with a mantra to provide parity with beer and wine. In December 2017, a short victory lap was enjoyed as substantial provisions of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act was passed. On January 1, 2018, craft distillers began paying a reduced FET from $13.50 down to $2.70 per proof gallon up to the first 100,000 pg. This reduced tax will extend through December 31, 2019. ACSA continues to work with industry partners to share with Congress details on how savings are being reinvested in the economy.
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is a bureau under the Department of the Treasury. The TTB collects Federal excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition and to assure compliance with Federal tobacco permitting and alcohol permitting, labeling, and marketing requirements to protect consumers.
Federal Legislation
View a list of proposed or pending federal legislation that affect our industry.
State Legislation
View a list of proposed or pending state legislation that affect our industry.
2020 Public Policy Conference
In a year full of pivots, the latest was the transition to a virtual event for the annual American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS) Public Policy Conference, which took place on Sept. 15 & 16. And though the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for participants to gather and meet with their U.S. Representatives and Senators in person, the online format carried one great benefit: it enabled a record number of attendees to virtually converge on the nation’s capital to advocate for the industry’s greatest priorities.
More than 300 craft distillers, trading partners and industry allies from 45 states spent day two of the Public Policy Conference making the case to Congress for permanent federal excise tax (FET) reform and to advocate for two other top legislative and regulatory priorities.
During nearly 200 virtual meetings with Senators and House members from both sides of the aisle, representing nearly all U.S. states, spirits producers urged support for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) HR 1175 in the House and S.362 in the Senate. Additionally, attendees called for the end of trade tariffs that have been severely impacting U.S. spirits exports and asked legislators to weigh in with their concerns about a flawed proposal under review at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to change the definition of moderate drinking for men in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines (DGA).
TOP ISSUES
End Spirits, Wine and Beer Tariffs
For Immediate Release: July 27, 2020 End Spirits, Wine and Beer Tariffs: Industry Calls for U.S. and EU to End Trade Dispute Urgently to Save Jobs WASHINGTON – In a show of transatlantic unity, 17 associations representing the U.S. and European beverage alcohol sectors submitted comments today to the United States...
Craft Beverage Coalition COVID-19 Economic Relief Letter
July 21, 2020 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader, U.S. Senate 311 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Democratic Leader, U.S. Senate 322 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the HouseH-232 U.S. Capitol Washington, DC 20515 The...
U.S. Treasury Response to Rep. Blumenauer
June 29, 2020 The Honorable Earl BlumenauerU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, SC 20515 Dear Representative Blumenauer: I write in reply to your May 18, 2020 letter urging the Treasury Department of defer excise taxes deadlines on domestic beer, wine, and distilled spirits for the remainder of the calendar year. As...
