News Beer Resolution Passed on the Hill

House Resolution supporting craft beer is passed

While most of Washington was focused on Tuesday’s election results, the House was busy doing something else: Passing a resolution about beer.

House Resolution 1297, sponsored by Rep. Betsy Markey, supports “the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week.”

“We’ve got quite a number of microbreweries and entrepreneurs that are creating jobs, and we wanted to celebrate that this is a craft,” Markey said in an interview for Politico.

“I think beer has been a tradition since this country was founded,” said Markey. “We wanted to celebrate entrepreneurship — and good beer!”

Markey is obviously partial to brews from her home state of Colorado, but she won’t claim a favorite.

“You can’t just have one,” said Markey. “It really depends on what mood you’re in. Sometimes, I like a light beer — I might want a Skinny Dip — or otherwise prefer a heavier brew.”

The real question is: Why would anyone vote against this?

“It does seem like a no brainer,” said Markey.

Beer Resolution Passed on the Hill posted in:

0 Comments on “Beer Resolution Passed on the Hill”

  • BrewinLou

    says:

    Thanks to Dan Kopman at Shlafly for spreading the word on this bill. We had a great meeting in our taproom with many other local brewers discussing the impact this would have, and how we can help make it happen. Still time left to talk to your Senators. Meet with these folks and let them know this very well could mean more jobs in your brewery.

  • lhall

    says:

    The excise tax reduction bills are HR 4278 and S 3339. If you haven’t written your local congressmen or women, please do so. The bills would reduce the federal excise tax for small brewers from $7 to $3.50 a bbl. It actually has a chance to pass this year.

  • stlbrewing

    says:

    lhall wrote: The excise tax reduction bills are HR 4278 and S 3339. If you haven’t written your local congressmen or women, please do so. The bills would reduce the federal excise tax for small brewers from $7 to $3.50 a bbl. It actually has a chance to pass this year.

    I wrote my state rep and got a letter back stating his support and letting me know he is a co-sponser on bill HR 4278. I may only be a homebrewer but one day I hope these bills will affect me.

    A link to help find your state representative.

    https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

  • adebower

    says:

    My girlfriend is a former legislative correspondent and director of correspondence for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, and for us to get the most bang for our buck on this issue, she recommended doing the following:

    “Try to avoid calling on a Monday or Friday. If your congressman is not a cosponsor, encourage him to sign on to the legislation. If he is a cosponsor, encourage him to push for action or consideration on the bill. Unfortunately, most bills that are introduced are never given any consideration or discussed again after introduction. You can also follow up on your call with a letter to their office.

    Sample Language: As a constituent, I’d like to encourage (name) to support HR 4278 (or S 3339). This is an important piece of legislation that will support small businesses, the backbone of our country. Small breweries face numerous economic challenges and a decrease in excise taxes will help to maintain and create manufacturing jobs during this period of economic turmoil.

    I’d also like to discourage (name) from voting for any legislation that would increase taxes on alcohol to pay for additional government spending.

    Thank you.

    Note: Keep it simple and short. The staffers that answer the phones are taking a large number of calls on a wide-variety of issues. The main point you want to get across is that you support HR 4278/S 3339. If you work in the brewing industry, stress that point. If you are comfortable discussing the legislation in more detail, ask to speak with the Tax LA (Legislative Assistant).

    This is a piece of legislation no one should be able to argue against.
    Adam

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