WASHINGTON, D.C. – 12/05/2023 – Today, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), American Beverage Licensees (ABL), American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA) and National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) celebrated the creation of the Congressional 21st Amendment Caucus.
Chaired by Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK 5th District) and Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV 3rd District), the caucus will focus on the importance of maintaining effective, state-based alcohol regulation for American consumers and the marketplace. The caucus will educate members of Congress and their staff on the importance these regulations as well as the role of licensed alcohol businesses in collecting taxes, supporting public health priorities, and creating and maintaining a competitive, safe and efficient market. At a time when special interests are seeking to change or weaken these regulations, the caucus will work to protect the successful alcohol regulatory system that has well served the American public for decades.
This evening, a reception was held on the 90th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment to honor the creation of the caucus and its co-chairs.
“America has the most vibrant wine and spirits marketplace in the world, in large part due to the current, robust alcohol regulatory system,” said WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton. “The 21st Amendment Caucus will help maintain this tried-and-true system and push back against misguided efforts that will eliminate choices for American consumers and threaten the integrity and safety of the American marketplace. The Congressional 21st Amendment Caucus will help ensure that our system of robust regulation is not dismantled at the expense of safety and the American consumer.”
“America’s bars, taverns and package liquor stores owe their very existence to the 21st Amendment and are thrilled to see members of Congress organizing to make sure that we don’t repeat the failed experiment of Prohibition,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich. “We’re excited to support the creation of the 21st Amendment Caucus and further discussing the important role all three tiers of the beverage alcohol industry play in the American economy.”
“ADSA member companies have long believed that our existing regulatory structure supports an orderly marketplace that promotes healthy competition in the spirits industry,” said Matt Dogali, President and CEO of ADSA. “We are proud to be involved in this event and look forward to supporting the 21st Amendment Caucus’s future efforts.”
“Ninety years ago today, the United States ratified the 21st Amendment, ending Prohibition, giving states the authority to regulate alcohol and helping give rise to the today’s thriving, safe and competitive alcohol industry,” said Craig Purser, President and CEO of NBWA. “This new caucus will educate policymakers about the importance of the alcohol industry’s effectively regulated chain of custody, which keeps consumers safe and promotes competition and variety while ensuring revenue is collected in the form of excise and sales taxes. America’s beer and beverage distributors thank Representatives Bice and Lee for their leadership on this important issue.”
About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80% of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States. To learn more, please visit wswa.org or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
About American Beverage Licenses
American Beverage Licensees is the preeminent national trade association for beverage alcohol retailers. Direct retail beverage alcohol sales in the United States generate more than 2.03 million well-paying jobs. ABL’s thousands of on-premise and off-premise licensee members are independent and often family-owned establishments. The beverage retailing industry pays over $27.9 billion in federal taxes and $20.0 billion in state and local taxes. To learn more about ABL, visit ablusa.org.
About The American Distilled Spirits Alliance
The American Distilled Spirits Alliance is a trade association of twenty-nine member companies with common interests in the manufacturing, importation and marketing of distilled spirits products in the United States and around the world. ADSA members produce over 70% of all the distilled spirits sold in the U.S. To learn more about ADSA and its members, visit americandistilledspirits.org.
About National Beer Wholesalers of America
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system. Distributors build brands of all sizes — from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world — and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 140,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.