The BI-PARTISAN BOURBON CAUCUS

When it comes to Bourbon and politics party lines seem to dissolve. US Representatives John Yarmuth and Brett Guthrie have formed the bipartisan Congressional Bourbon Caucus an officially recognized Congressional Member Organization. They will serve as co-chairs of the caucus. Yarmuth, Kentucky’s Third District representative, and Guthrie, the state’s Second District representative, formed the caucus to organize a group of representatives “dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the bourbon industry in the United States and educating other members on the legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry,” they said in a news release. To date, 17 members of Congress have joined the caucus and more are expected to join, according to the release. More than 95 percent of the world’s bourbon is distilled and aged in Kentucky. The Bourbon industry provides more than 3OOO jobs in Kentucky and more than $3 billion in gross state revenue. “This caucus offers a solid base of bipartisan support for one of Kentucky’s most important industries and largest employers,” Yarmuth said. “Congressman Guthrie and I both agreed that it was important to create a working group that would advocate for this critical part of the Commonwealth’s economy.” In 2OO7, the US Senate resolution declared September as “National Bourbon Heritage Month”. In 2OO8, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear recognized September 2OO8 as “Bourbon Heritage Month” which celebrated Bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit” and honored the family heritage and deep-rooted legacy of the Bourbon industry in the Commonwealth.