WASHINGTON – Earlier this May, in support of American Craft Beer Week, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), joined by Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), introduced a bipartisan resolution commending America’s small and independent craft brewers. The Senate yesterday passed the resolution.

With craft brewers in every state in the nation, these breweries provide employment for 115,000 full and part-time workers and generate more than $3 billion in wages and benefits annually.

“Craft breweries across our country continue to create a diverse array of quality American jobs. These breweries grow our local economies, invest in the success and vitality of their communities, and establish new markets abroad to ensure ongoing demand,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “We strongly support American Craft Brewers across our country and will continue to work in close partnership to foster and maintain growth of this important American industry.”

In 2014, craft breweries in the United States produced more than 22 million barrels of beer, which is 3.3 million more barrels than in 2013. Also in 2014, 615 new breweries opened across the United States.

The full text of the resolution can be read here.