Congress did a few things this week, though none affecting the wine industry. The Senate passed a bill proposing more funding for Ukraine and Israel, but it’s likely to die in the House. Meanwhile, House Republicans impeached Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas over border issues.
On Long Island, the New York seat formerly occupied by expelled Republican George Santos flipped to Democrat Tom Suozzi, a former six-term Representative who gave up his seat to run (unsuccessfully) for Governor. What this means is that the Republican majority is now slimmer than ever, and who knows what will happen in November?
Vital Associations
This new section of WineAmerica Perspectives is to introduce you to various not-for-profit associations that are vital to the American and international wine industry, and we’ll start right here at home.
WineAmerica
Est: 1978, Watkins Glen, NY
HQ: Washington, DC
Members: About 400 wineries, associations, suppliers from 45 states
Mission: National grassroots federal public policy advocacy to protect and enhance the business climate for the America wine industry. www.wineamerica.org
WineAmerica is the only National Association of American Wineries, and includes a State and Regional Associations Advisory Council (SRAAC) with 40 members from 25 states, providing a powerful grassroots lobbying capability.
Many of the key issues WineAmerica pursues involve ways to save money for wineries, including the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, the repeal of the Special Occupational Tax, the Small Producer Tax Credit, and repeal of the federal bond requirement.
We also lobby for measures like the Farm Bill which includes several different funding sources for research, export promotion, value-added grants, and disaster relief. Allowing the U.S. Postal Service to ship wines, and an Agritourism bill, are additional legislative priorities. WineAmerica staff members also have close connections with officials at the federal Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) which regulates the wine industry.
Just this week, Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs Michael Kaiser was highlighted as a Wine Industry Champion by journalist Laura Ness in Wine Industry Advisor.