Distilled Spirits group spent $1.18M lobbying in 1Q on drunk driving programs, renewable power

Distilled Spirits group spent $1.18M on 1Q lobby

WASHINGTON — The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Inc., whose members include Bacardi USA Inc. and Brown-Forman Corp., spent $1.18 million in the first quarter lobbying on drunk driving prevention, renewable power and other issues, according to a recent disclosure form.

That’s slightly less than the $1.23 million the group spent in the year-ago period and about even with the $1.15 billion the group spent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The trade group also lobbied on alcohol research, advertising and marketing, excise taxes, foreign trade and other matters in the January-through-March period, according to the disclosure form filed April 20 with the House clerk’s office.

The group lobbied both arms of Congress, according to the report.