Rum tax battle heats up

The lobbying blitz over Caribbean rum subsidies will soon hit overdrive as both sides of the argument ramp up efforts to tear the other side down. 

Valuable subsides based on rum production going to Puerto Rico will transfer to the U.S. Virgin Islands when rum-producer Diageo shifts operations from one island to the other. 

The National Puerto Rican Coalition plans a six-state boycott of Diageo products to protest the move and has called on Congress to step in and stop the deal. The USVI has ramped up an educational campaign on how the move benefits the environment and the USVI economy. 

More to come in The Hill's weekend section.