CTL: I thought it was the purchasing age that was tied to the federal funds, not the drinking age. National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (23 U.S.C. § 158)
(a) Withholding of Funds for Noncompliance.—
(1)In general.—
(A)Fiscal years before 2012.—
The Secretary shall withhold 10 per centum of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under each of sections 104(b)(1), 104(b)(3), and 104(b)(4) [1] of this title on the first day of each fiscal year after the second fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1985, in which the purchase or public possession in such State of any alcoholic beverage by a person who is less than twenty-one years of age is lawful.
(B)Fiscal year 2012 and thereafter.—
For fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount to be withheld under this section shall be an amount equal to 8 percent of the amount apportioned to the noncompliant State, as described in subparagraph (A), under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b).