Yesterday, I read a blog about HR 1161. This is a bill sponsored by Jason Chaffetz from Utah. HR 1161 is similar to last year’s HR 5034 that fortunately did not reach passage. Now with slightly different wording it’s introduced again with a different number. When reading the bill it almost sound innocuous but if one looks at what could happen in future years based on HR1161, it could change the landscape of wine distribution in terms of limiting consumers access to wine. It appears to limit or deny a citizen’s right to appeal to the federal government.

In an article by Bonnie Lewis, HR 1161 could deny wine lovers their wine clubs, imports on tucsoncitizen.com, she writes about the problems that could be created by the passage of HR1161. Lewis writes, “But Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) recently reintroduced the bill that, if passed, could bring an end to the direct shipment of alcohol in the United States, and severely hinder the chance of legal recourse within each State against such restrictions.”

You can find detailed information about HR 1161 at the govtrack.us website. Check out HR 1161 yourself and decide for yourself if the bill is necessary and who will the bill benefit if it is passed. Let your Congressional representative know your opinion now.

Cheers! Kathy