H.R. 232, the Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act (Small BREW Act), was introduced in the 114th U.S. Congress on January 8 by Representatives Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Richard E. Neal (D-MA). Joining as original co-sponsors of the bill were Representatives Peter De Fazio (D-OR), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Patrick Meehan (R-PA). H.R. 232 has 80 total sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. On February 4, Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 375 (Small BREW Act) in the U.S. Senate. S. 375 has 34 total sponsors in the U.S. Senate. Supported by the Brewers Association, the Small BREW Act seeks to reduce the small brewer rate on the first 60,000 barrels by 50 percent (from $7.00 to $3.50/barrel) and institute a new rate $16.00 per barrel on beer production above 60,000 barrels up to 2 million barrels. Breweries with an annual production of 6 million barrels or less would qualify for these tax rates. Legislation introduced in the last Congress, H.R. 494, gained a total of 182 total sponsors. In the Senate, companion legislation S.917 realized 47 total sponsors.