Wine Institute Advocating on Federal Emergency Economic Stimulus Legislation

Wine Institute’s Washington office is actively engaged in advocating for emergency stimulus legislation to support wineries during this crisis. To date, two bills have been enacted into law in response to the Coronavirus outbreak and Congress is actively working on a third, much larger, stimulus package.

On March 6, the president signed into law an initial congressional appropriations package, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided $8.3 billion in funding for vaccine development, support for state and local governments, and assistance for affected small businesses.

On March 18, the president signed into law H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which provides for expanded emergency sick leave and paid family and medical leave, provides tax credits to cover some of the cost of these programs, provides for expanded diagnostic testing for COVID-19, and provides additional federal funding for emergency response.

We are working with our alcohol, hospitality and tourism sector partners to ensure that the third and largest economic stimulus package, currently being drafted, also provides significant, meaningful relief for wineries as they cope with the economic fallout from COVID-19. Our coalition sent this letter to Congressional leaders March 18 outlining critical assistance that should be included in any stimulus bill.

Please contact the Washington office if you have any questions.