The CARE Act and the Constitution

Within today’s effective system of state-based alcohol regulation, America has seen an explosion of new, small businesses which has generated thousands of new jobs as well as vast choice and variety for the consumer. It is within this system that we now have more than 1,700 independent breweries across the country, which is up dramatically from just a few dozen breweries in the 1980s. It is this system that supports the 13,000 labels of beer and the 50,000 labels of wine that are available to consumers from coast to coast. And all of this is within a system that works to balance healthy marketplace competition with public safety.

In summary, the CARE Act is about WHO should make decisions about alcohol regulation (elected state legislators instead of unelected federal judges in distant courts), not WHAT those decisions should be. A recent national survey showed that nearly 80 percent of Americans support states’ ability to set alcohol laws and regulations that keep them safe, and the CARE Act is consistent with the voice and the will of those people.

For those who support the U.S. Constitution, states’ rights and the voice of the people, the CARE Act is a very important piece of legislation. I encourage you to read more about why the CARE Act is needed, what’s at risk and the language of the legislation itself at www.thecareact.org.

Rebecca Spicer is the Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications at the National Beer Wholesalers Association and previously served in the George W. Bush White House and at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.