Leaders in the beverage alcohol sector are urging industry advocates across the nation to participate in a national Day of Action today by contacting their members of Congress to urge passage of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, S.362/H.R. 1175 (CBMTRA).
“Our nation’s craft brewers, distillers, winemakers, and cider makers have been among the hardest hit during COVID-19,” said the CBMTRA Coalition. “Significantly increasing taxes on these small businesses even in normal circumstances would be devastating, but to do so during a pandemic would undoubtedly force many of them to close. Congress should give these businesses a fighting chance by passing the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act as soon as possible. Only then will they have the opportunity to recover from the harsh economic impacts of COVID-19 and be able to continue to support other vital industries in their communities.”
Day of Action participants are encouraged to call, tweet, and email their members of Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation here.
The campaign is sponsored by the CBMTRA Coalition, a group of beverage alcohol trade associations including the Brewers Association, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Beer Institute, American Craft Spirits Association, Wine Institute, WineAmerica, the United States Association of Cider Makers, and American Mead Makers Association.
The coalition added, “We need everyone’s help – from supply chain partners to loyal customers – to ensure Congress makes this legislation, which is critical to the survival of hospitality businesses across the country, permanent. It takes just minutes to make a difference for these businesses in our communities.”
Introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and by Representatives Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), the legislation will make permanent reforms enacted in 2017 that create a fair and equitable tax structure for brewers, winemakers, distillers, cider makers, and importers of all beverage alcohol. The bill currently has 346 co-sponsors in the House and 74 in the Senate.
