Skip to main content

Quigley Statement on the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act of 2020

April 26, 2010

WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) issued the following statement on H.R. 5034, the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act of 2010:

"Congress has long held the view that alcohol consumption creates a unique public health issue that requires responsible regulation. The 21st amendment was intended to allow states to regulate alcoholic beverages free from federal involvement. In the 75 years since, this system has fostered an orderly marketplace and effectively promoted moderation. In recent years, however, there has been a proliferation of litigation in which this state regulatory authority has been questioned. The Courts are now being asked to interpret what Congress really intended with its actions all those years ago and how it applies to a dynamic marketplace today.

The CARE act, which my colleagues in Congress and I recently introduced, is designed to clarify Congress' original legislative intent and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining an equitable marketplace through the continuation of effective state-based regulation. I recognize that there is a burgeoning wine industry in many states across the country and that in certain instances, state laws present winemakers with challenges to entering the marketplace. It is my hope that as we move forward, we can work with small businesses across the country to assist their productivity and growth; and, in fact, I believe that my co-sponsorship of this legislation will facilitate that goal."