It’s the first step in a long process, but the proposed House Agriculture Appropriations Bill has cleared a subcommittee with the language that has an exemption for premium cigars.

Yesterday, a draft of the proposed Agriculture Appropriations Bill was released that allowed for an exemption for premium cigars. What that means is that Federal funding cannot be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce FDA regulations on premium cigars. The proposed bill includes language to define what a premium cigar is.

There are many more steps to make this reality. The Agriculture Appropriations Bill will now be drafted into a final overall Appropriations Bill. That bill must still be passed by the House. At the same time, a companion bill must clear the U.S. Senate.  Both bills also still have to make it to the floor for a vote. If passed, there is exists a possibility the President can veto it.

We have details on the proposed exemption from our story yesterday.