U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez – MENENDEZ CAMPAIGN PHOTO
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is one of the Beer Institutes 2022 Beer Champions, recognized for his leadership in securing permanent excise tax relief for brewers as well as for pushing for deferment on federal excise taxes on brewers and importers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Menendez was recognized alongside Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.; Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.; U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.; U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.; U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill.; and U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., on July 21.
“The U.S. beer industry contributes $350 billion to the economy and creates more than 2 million jobs. Sen. Menendez has worked hard to fight against the aluminum pricing process, unfair federal excise tax and other issues that are threatening our industry,” said Gavin Hattersley, chairman of the Beer Institute and president and CEO of Molson Coors Beverage Co. “We are grateful for his partnership and hope to continue working together in support of the beer industry.”
The New Jersey beer industry alone employs more than 38,000 people and provides $6.3 billion annually in economic output.
“From growing crops to brewing and selling beer, the burgeoning beer industry supports New Jersey’s economy and creates jobs in our state,” said Menendez. “I’m proud to be named a 2022 Beer Champion and will continue to fight for legislation that ensures the beer industry, especially small breweries owned by families and minorities, are able to build back stronger than ever in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Menendez’s co-sponsored Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act provides permanent excise tax relief to brewers and beer importers. This law is meant to keep fiscal resources free to reinvest in their businesses, hire new employees and make innovating products.
In 2020, he urged the Treasury to defer deadlines on federal excise taxes on domestic and imported beverage alcohol through Dec. 31, 2022.