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As the drama in Washington D.C. over a partial government shutdown drags on, it's beginning to feel like nothing can dislodge the two parties from their positions.
But now citizens are learning of an issue that could really hurt Oregonians—the federal shutdown of the agency that approves beer labels and operations.
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), whose constituents in the first congressional district include brewers and many more beer drinkers, today wrote to John Manfreda, director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, pressing the point that Oregonians want to be brewing and drinking—especially the seasonal beers that highlight the winter months.
Bonamici's letter is a clever bit of misdirection—it is Congress, not the federal agencies, that is responsible for the budget stalemate—but at least now she'll have a record of advocating for her beer-friendly constituents.
Here's the letter she sent today:
WWeek 2015