Bubble Bill Update: Building Momentum for the Next Congress

Bubble Bill Update: Building Momentum for the Next Congress

Over the last several years, the ACA and our congressional champions have worked tirelessly to advance the Bubble Bill, legislation designed to bring carbonation parity to fruited ciders and correct a longstanding inequity in federal alcohol tax law.

As many of you know, moving legislation through Congress is rarely a straight path. While we remain fully committed to advancing this legislation, recent conversations on Capitol Hill have made one thing clear: it is increasingly unlikely that Congress will move a tax package during the remainder of the 119th Congress.

Several factors are contributing to this reality, including:

Congress has already devoted significant time and political capital to major tax legislation enacted earlier in this Congress last summer, and a second reconciliation package seems highly unlikely.

Congressional attention remains focused on broader fiscal priorities and international affairs.

As the midterm election cycle approaches, the legislative calendar will become increasingly compressed.

Opportunities to attach industry-specific tax provisions to larger legislative vehicles have become extremely limited.

What does this mean for cider?

First and foremost, it does not mean that the Bubble Bill effort has stalled or failed.

Quite the opposite.

We know the legislative process can be lengthy. Over the past several months, ACA staff and industry leaders have continued meeting with congressional offices, strengthening relationships with existing champions, and evaluating the best path forward to secure long-term success for the industry.

Rather than forcing legislation into an increasingly difficult legislative environment, the ACA is using this time strategically to build an even stronger foundation for future success and bill passage.

Over the next six months, our focus will be on:

-Expanding grassroots engagement and consensus throughout the cider community

-Educating members, partners, and congressional offices about our priorities

-Strengthening relationships with existing and potential congressional champions

-Building broader industry support for future legislation

Our goal is to enter the 120th Congress in January 2027 with greater momentum, stronger industry engagement, and an even more robust coalition of Congressional supporters than ever before.

The Bubble Bill remains a top federal advocacy priority for the ACA, and we remain committed to achieving carbonation parity for fruited ciders.

Successful advocacy requires persistence. It requires relationships. And most importantly, it requires a united industry speaking with one voice.

In the coming months, members will have additional opportunities to participate in grassroots advocacy efforts and help us build the support needed to move this important legislation forward.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Together, we will continue fighting for a fairer and more equitable future for US cider.



If you have any questions or would like to get more involved, please email Jenn Root Martell at jenn@ciderassociation.org.