Here at the ol’ Brokelyn dot come, we don’t talk too much about Congress. For one thing, we’re not Wonkette. For another, when it comes to protecting the interests of humble brokesters like yourselves, we feel like Congress is usually more interested in fulfilling Krusty the Clown’s campaign promise to be a slave to big oil than in protecting you, the humble brokester. So color us surprised and pleased that a couple of Congressmen are taking action that could make your life easier, by lowering the amount of federal taxes levied on liquor, which theoretically will make liquor cheaper for you.
Via the Washington Post comes the news that a bi-partisan effort is underway in the House of Representatives to lower the taxes on distilled alcohol, otherwise known as sweet sweet vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey and other mind-numbing products that are not beer or wine. Currently, your alcohol is taxes by the Feds at a rate of $13.50 per proof gallon, which according to a handy chart provided to the Post by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, amounts to 15% of the cost of your average bottle of hooch. The Distillery Innovation and Excise Tax Reform Act would lower that tax to $2.70 per proof gallon on the first 100,000 gallons distilled and then $9 per after. While that wouldn’t do anything about state taxes on liquor, the Post points out it would at least in theory make a bottle a dollar or two cheaper.
That comes in handy when you live in a place with so many dollar pizza options or the guys who wander into bars selling empanadas. Of course that assumes that everyone down the line, from liquor distillers to wholesalers to bar owners don’t decide to pocket the difference somewhere down that line. And it also assumes this can actually pass the House, pass the Senate and get signed by the president. Maybe if the sponsors attach an amendment funding a useless new warplane or an aircraft carrier we don’t need it’ll get a little more support on the Hill.