Minimum Legal Drinking Age Act

The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Act of 1984 is a U.S. law that encourages states to set the legal drinking age at 21 by withholding federal highway funds if they don't comply. It aims to reduce accidents and injuries related to underage alcohol consumption by ensuring a consistent national standard. While states set their own laws, they must meet this federal requirement to receive highway funding, effectively making 21 the minimum age for purchasing and publicly consuming alcohol across the country.