; Whereas Congress has consistently recognized and respected the primary authority of States to regulate alcohol in order to promote orderly, safe, and stable markets, efficient tax collection, and temperance, as evidenced by and through passage of the Webb-Kenyon Act, creating an exception to the Commerce Clause and empowering States to regulate the importation and sale of alcohol beverages within their own borders (originally enacted in 1913; 27 U.S.C. 122 ), the Federal Alcohol Administration Act ( 27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act ( 27 U.S.C. 122a ), and the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act ( Public Law 109–422 ; 120 Stat. 2890); Whereas, for decades, the legislatures and alcohol beverage control agencies of the 50 States have exercised their primary authority under the 21st Amendment to ensure the creation and maintenance of State-based regulatory systems for alcohol distribution, promote accountability and responsibility by licensing local vendors of alcohol, prevent the vertical integration of the alcohol industry, and maintain the integrity of a three-tier system made up of producers, importers, wholesale distributors, and retailers; Whereas unlike other nations, the development of a transparent, efficient, and accountable United States system for the distribution and sale of alcohol beverages, temperance in consumption and sales practices, efficient tax collection, and other essential public health and safety policies have been successfully guided by the collective experience and cooperation of government agencies and licensed industry members throughout the geographically and culturally diverse Nation; Whereas the State-based system of alcohol regulation and a system of independent distribution have resulted in reducing barriers to market and providing unprecedented choice, variety, and selection for consumers