Government Affairs Archives

Displaying results 1-10 of 121

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland seated at a table at Well 80 Brewhouse in Olympia

Co-Chair of the Small Brewers Caucus Meets with WA Brewers

July 16, 2026

Last week, members of the brewing community in the South Puget Sound region of Washington attended a Brewers Association event with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland at Well 80 Brewhouse in Olympia. Read More

Written By Sam DeWitt , State Government Affairs Director

State Government Affairs Director

Sam DeWitt works state government affairs for the Brewers Association, and has lobbied craft beer bills from the east coast to Hawaii, on a wide range of topics from franchise reform and excise tax to self-distribution and direct-to-consumer shipping of beer. He has a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from the University of Montana and fell in love with craft brewing as an undergraduate in Missoula.

USMCA Trade Agreement Not Renewed, Negotiations Continue

July 14, 2026

Although the U.S. has not renewed the USMCA for another 16 years, annual reviews and trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico will continue.Read More

Written By Marc Preo , Special Projects Coordinator

Special Projects Coordinator

Marc Preo serves as the special projects coordinator on the Government Affairs team tracking federal regulatory affairs and state bill and rulemaking activity. A longtime homebrewing hobbyist and craft beer enthusiast, Marc enjoys spending as much time as he can in the mountains snowboarding, Nordic touring, and mountain biking.

BA Urges USTR To Avoid New Section 301 Tariffs

July 8, 2026

The proposed tariffs would increase costs on a range of unique foreign brewing inputs that are not always available from domestic sources.Read More

Written By Marc Preo , Special Projects Coordinator

Special Projects Coordinator

Taproom bartender ringing up beer to-go as customer pays with credit card

BA Joins Push to Rein In Swipe Fees Squeezing Breweries

June 24, 2026

Since 2014, credit card swipe fees have more than tripled, outpacing inflation twofold.Read More

Written By Marc Preo , Special Projects Coordinator

Special Projects Coordinator

Beer, Bacon, and Baseball: BA Strengthens Federal Advocacy Ties

June 15, 2026

The BA co-hosted a reception alongside the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) ahead of the Congressional Baseball Game.Read More

UPDATE: Pennsylvania Brews to Barns Advances to Senate

June 11, 2026

The bill would provide an excise tax credit for brewers who donate their spent grain to agriculture interests in the state at a rate of 16 cents per dry weight pound, up to $30,000 in credits per brewer annually.Read More

Written By Sam DeWitt , State Government Affairs Director

State Government Affairs Director

New Forced-Labor Tariffs Could Hit Imported Hops, Malts, and Equipment

June 10, 2026

Brewers may see additional tariffs on imported goods, excluding aluminum, steel, and duty-free Canadian barley and barley malt.Read More

Written By Marc Sorini , Vice President of Government Affairs

Vice President of Government Affairs

Marc Sorini, vice president of government affairs for the Brewers Association, is a beer lover and homebrewer who has served as a counsel for small and independent craft brewers for more than two decades. Marc holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and when he's not contemplating beverage alcohol law, he's homebrewing with his adult kids.