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Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesHOUSE VOTE RAISES V.I. RUM TAX TO $13.25 PER PROOF GALLON

HOUSE VOTE RAISES V.I. RUM TAX TO $13.25 PER PROOF GALLON

Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christian-Christensen announced that the quest to lift the cap on rum reached another milestone Thursday evening, as the House overwhelmingly passed legislation to increase the rum tax cover over from $10.50 to $13.25 per proof gallon.
The bill was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 418 to 2, according to a release from the delegate's office.
The bill would increase the present law's rum cover over rate for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands retroactive to July 1, 1999 to run through December 31, 2001.
Christensen says she is very pleased about the final outcome of the House version of the bill following a strong show of support from many of her fellow Democrats and Republicans. "This is just the good news that we need in the midst of what Hurricane Lenny has brought us." Christiansen said she had the support of Sen. Trent Lott and President Bill Clinton for the final passage of the bill.
The bill will be forwarded to the Senate for a final vote.

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