The Department of Health and Human Services is weighing whether or not to freeze a study on the health impacts of alcohol consumption after a bipartisan group of 100 lawmakers expressed concern about the integrity of the research being performed. The report is meant to inform the next round of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, but what has become clear is that the process has been captured by anti-alcohol activists, whose goal is to discourage imbibing of all kinds.

Alcohol is already a highly regulated product and studied exhaustively. This secretive HHS misadventure needs a healthy dose of transparency and accountability.