1. Federal Affairs

House of Representatives Elects New Speaker

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Senior Director of Federal Affairs

Katie Marisic is the senior director of federal affairs at the Brewers Association. Based in Washington, D.C. she plans and executes legislative, regulatory, and political strategies to drive the association's federal affairs presence on Capitol Hill. Prior to working for the BA, Katie was vice president of political affairs at the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. She got her start in politics working on congressional campaigns during the 2006 and 2008 elections. A Pennsylvania native, Katie is a long time craft brewing supporter. In 2013 she helped to open Atlas Brew Works in Washington, D.C. When she is not advocating for the craft brewing community on Capitol Hill you can sometimes find her pouring beers at a local tasting room.

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After three weeks, multiple candidates, and numerous failed votes, the House of Representatives has elected Mike Johnson of Louisiana to serve as Speaker of the House. Johnson, the fourth nominee for speaker, won the gavel with 220 votes, with the full support of the Republicans in attendance.

This concludes the turmoil that started on October 3, when then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) lost a motion to vacate after passing a clean continuing resolution (CR) to avert a government shutdown. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) became Interim Speaker but was limited in power, officially only allowed to preside over the vote for the next Speaker.

Washinton, D.C. is eager for the House to get back to work. Congress has until November 17 to pass a 2024 fiscal year (FY) budget or another CR, or face a government shutdown. A government shutdown impacts the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) ability to approve labels and formulas and provide brewers notices. It could also impact business loans needing Small Business Administration (SBA) approval.

The Brewers Association (BA) expects government funding to be a top priority of the new Speaker. BA staff is continuing to meet with congressional offices to advocate on behalf of our industry, including our appropriations requests of $154 million for the TTB 2024 FY budget and for United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Services (USDA-ARS) funding for hops and barley growers.

Link to author biography
Senior Director of Federal Affairs

Katie Marisic is the senior director of federal affairs at the Brewers Association. Based in Washington, D.C. she plans and executes legislative, regulatory, and political strategies to drive the association's federal affairs presence on Capitol Hill. Prior to working for the BA, Katie was vice president of political affairs at the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. She got her start in politics working on congressional campaigns during the 2006 and 2008 elections. A Pennsylvania native, Katie is a long time craft brewing supporter. In 2013 she helped to open Atlas Brew Works in Washington, D.C. When she is not advocating for the craft brewing community on Capitol Hill you can sometimes find her pouring beers at a local tasting room.

See Katie Marisic's Articles