Congressmen McGarvey, Womack Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support American Whiskey Manufacturers
Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) – Co-Chair of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus – and Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03) introduced the Duty Drawback Clarification Act, a bipartisan bill that would level the playing field for American whiskey distillers. The bill would allow American whiskey distillers to participate in the duty drawback program, which refunds duties and fees paid by importers when they export equivalent amounts of the same product. Beer, wine, and other spirit makers in the United States are already eligible for this program.
“Bourbon is America’s signature spirit, yet bourbon and other whiskeys are excluded from the duty drawback program — a benefit enjoyed by nearly every other beer, wine, and spirit. It's time to level the playing field,” said Congressman McGarvey. “I am honored to join Congressman Steve Womack in introducing the Duty Drawback Clarification Act to strengthen and grow the American-made spirit industry, especially bourbon."
“Promoting U.S. exports is integral to a successful pro-growth American agenda. Duty drawback is an extremely successful program for domestic beer, wine, and spirit producers, and treating American whiskey producers—including those manufacturing right here in the Third District of Arkansas—the same as other American alcohol producers is simply common sense,” said Congressman Womack. “I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. McGarvey and continue working to implement policies that support Arkansas businesses.”
Duty drawback is an export promotion program that supports American jobs by incentivizing exports through a refund of duties paid at the time of import when similar goods are exported. American beer, wine, and spirits producers all currently utilize the program, but American whiskey is not currently eligible for drawback due to the unique way it is listed in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. This bill clarifies that all whiskey products are commercially interchangeable and, therefore, eligible for the drawback program.
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