New Bill Could Boost Demand for California-Grown Cotton

A new bill in the U.S. Senate could bring good news for California’s cotton growers. The Buying American Cotton Act, introduced by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, is designed to increase demand for cotton grown and manufactured in the United States—using tax incentives to reward companies that choose homegrown fiber.

The National Cotton Council is throwing its full support behind the proposal. Patrick Johnson, a cotton producer from Tunica, Mississippi, and current chairman of the Council, says the bill is “transformative.” He believes it taps into the traceability of U.S.-grown cotton and the buying power of American consumers. With transferable tax credits on the table, Johnson says it could give businesses a real reason to choose American cotton—strengthening agriculture and creating jobs nationwide.

While the bill originates from the South, it could directly benefit cotton producers in California’s Central Valley. The Council also thanked Senators John Boozman of Arkansas, Katie Britt of Alabama, and Roger Marshall of Kansas for signing on as cosponsors