Why It Matters

Anheuser-Busch faces a converging policy crisis threatening both margins and market positioning. Doubled aluminum tariffs—affecting 76% of U.S. packaged beer—are pressuring production costs, while expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions could eliminate tax benefits for 99% of breweries by year-end.

Federal cannabis regulation is advancing without clear separation from alcohol, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics. The company’s $1.32 million Q3 lobbying push targets tariff relief, TCJA extension, and regulatory differentiation—with congressional members already publicly engaged on these issues.

By the Numbers

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC reported $1.32 million in in-house lobbying expenses for Q3 2025. The company maintains a 20-plus year lobbying presence, having engaged 41 different external lobbying firms across over 1,000 total disclosures.

The in-house team comprises four registered lobbyists:

The Agenda

Anheuser-Busch is lobbying on four primary issues: taxation, particularly extending Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions and supporting the Grown in America Act tax credit; trade and tariffs, especially Section 232 aluminum tariffs increasing can production costs; beverage industry regulation, ensuring beer is differentiated from cannabis in federal frameworks; and transparency in federal dietary guidelines review.

Broader Context

Multiple policy developments threaten Anheuser-Busch’s operations. President Trump doubled Section 232 aluminum tariffs to 50% in June 2025, with tariffs now extending to can ends and lids. Congressional members have publicly warned about impacts—Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO-6) cautioned aluminum tariffs will raise craft beer costs.

TCJA provisions expire year-end 2025, with the Beer Institute noting the law reduced excise taxes for 99% of U.S. breweries by 50%. Several cannabis bills are advancing through Congress, creating urgency around regulatory differentiation. The 2025-2030 federal dietary guidelines review presents both risk and opportunity for industry positioning.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively engaged on Anheuser-Busch’s lobbying priorities. On taxation, members including Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1) have met with beer distributors about TCJA extensions. On trade, Rep. Sara Jacobs and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have warned about tariff impacts on beer costs. Multiple cannabis bills are advancing, including H.R. 2935 (PREPARE Act) and H.R. 5068 (MORE Act).

Competitive Landscape

Anheuser-Busch operates within a coordinated industry advocacy ecosystem. The National Beer Wholesalers Association lobbies on identical issues, with congressional communications showing members meeting with NBWA on industry priorities. The broader alcohol industry shares concerns on cannabis regulation, with multiple companies collectively lobbying on hemp-derived THC beverage regulation. On tariffs, craft breweries face identical aluminum cost pressures, creating aligned interests even among competitors.

The Bottom Line

Anheuser-Busch’s $1.32 million Q3 2025 lobbying focuses on four interconnected challenges: escalating aluminum tariffs, expiring TCJA provisions, cannabis regulatory differentiation, and dietary guidelines review. Congressional engagement validates industry concerns, though outcomes remain uncertain in a polarized environment. The company’s bipartisan in-house team—featuring budget expertise and trade policy experience—positions it well for these legislative battles.

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