Effective Alcohol Regulation
The Issue:
America’s state-based alcohol regulatory system, complemented by federal policy, has produced the world’s safest and most competitive alcohol marketplace. Efforts to undermine this system could erode public safety and consumer choice.
Why It Matters:
Established by the 21st Amendment, America’s successful alcohol regulatory structure carefully balances control and access through a three-tier distribution system of licensed businesses (see above). 135,000 independent beer distribution employees operate within this system, which provides:
Public Safety
- Chain of custody enables product integrity
- Local authority enables communities to decide how alcohol is sold and regulated
Competition
- Suppliers of all sizes — including small, local brewers — have access to the market
- The result: 9,000 breweries and unparalleled consumer choice
Growth
- Efficient collection of more than $65 billion in annual tax revenue
- Over 4.2 million American jobs supported by the beer industry
Legislation to allow the USPS to ship alcohol directly to consumers would undermine this proven system by:
- Bypassing state enforcement and licensing
- Loosening underage drinking protections
- Reducing traceability — critical for recalls
What it won’t do? Resolve USPS funding challenges. In fact, it may even increase costs while adding compliance burdens.
Congress Should:
- Support federal policy that reinforces effective regulation under the 21st Amendment
- Reject the United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act (H.R.3011)
- House Members should join the 21st Amendment Caucus