U.S. Supreme Court to review 1868 federal ban on home distilling of liquor
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the legality of an 1868 federal law that prohibits the home distilling of liquor. The case stems from a split between federal appeals courts regarding whether the ban is a necessary tool for tax collection or an unconstitutional overreach of congressional power.
Why it matters
The ruling will clarify the limits of federal authority in regulating private activities and could impact long-standing excise tax enforcement mechanisms.
WASHINGTON >> The U.S. Supreme Court agreed today to decide the legality of a federal ban on the home distilling of alcoholic spirits that was enacted in 1868 after the U.S. Civil War to crack down on liquor tax evasion.
The dispute pits President Donald Trump's administration, which is defending the law, against challengers who argue that the home-distilling prohibition exceeds the authority of Congress under the U.S. Constitution. More than a dozen Republican-led states have backed the legal challenge to the statute.
The Supreme Court took up the administration's appeal of a lower court's decision against the ban. The justices are expected to hear arguments in the case and issue a ruling by the end of June.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in