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It’s been a long time since Mainers could expect financial responsibility from the federal government. But at long last, there’s some room for hope thanks to a provision in the U.S. House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The provision in question would close the double duty drawback loophole, which has enabled foreign tobacco companies to exploit American taxpayers.
This loophole is essentially the result of a legislative oversight, and it essentially funnels our taxpayer money to corporations overseas as a refund for federal excise taxes the corporations are never actually paying in the first place. I think it’s a disgusting system, and despite efforts in the past by President Donald Trump to close the loophole, the courts kept it in place, stating that it was up to Congress to address the issue.
Fortunately, the bill that has already passed the House includes language that shuts down the double duty drawback loophole. Closing this loophole could save Mainers and the federal government billions of dollars at a time when our nation cannot afford to be handing out free money to foreign businesses. It’s a sensible step forward after years of this unacceptable and unintended subsidy on the backs of hardworking Americans.
We must stop the foreign tobacco subsidies. As the Senate considers the bill, I believe Sen. Susan Collins owes it to the people of Maine to make sure the double duty drawback provision remains in the bill’s final text.
Anthony Weaver
President
University of Maine College Republicans
Orono
