Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — April 24, 2025… Congressmen Steve Womack (AR-3) and Morgan McGarvey (KY-3) introduced the Duty Drawback Clarification Act today, a bipartisan bill that would level the playing field for American whiskey distillers. The bill would allow American whiskey distillers to participate in the duty drawback program, which refunds duties and fees paid by importers when they export equivalent amounts of the same product. Beer, wine, and other spirit makers in the United States are already eligible for this program.

Congressman Womack said, “Promoting U.S. exports is integral to a successful pro-growth American agenda. Duty drawback is an extremely successful program for domestic beer, wine, and spirit producers, and treating American whiskey producers—including those manufacturing right here in the Third District of Arkansas—the same as other American alcohol producers is simply common sense. I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. McGarvey and continue working to implement policies that support Arkansas businesses.”

Congressman McGarvey said, “Bourbon is America’s signature spirit, yet bourbon and other whiskeys are excluded from the duty drawback program — a benefit enjoyed by nearly every other beer, wine, and spirit. It's time to level the playing field. I am honored to join Congressman Steve Womack in introducing the Duty Drawback Clarification Act to strengthen and grow the American-made spirit industry, especially bourbon."

Duty drawback is an export promotion program that supports American jobs by incentivizing exports through a refund of duties paid at the time of import when similar goods are exported. American beer, wine, and spirits producers all currently utilize the program, but American whiskey is not currently eligible for drawback due to the unique way it is listed in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. This bill clarifies that all whiskey products are commercially interchangeable and, therefore, eligible for the drawback program.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov