WASHINGTON – Supporting the importance of cotton to the region’s economy, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt introduced legislation to support products made with American-grown cotton.
Britt (R-Montgomery) was joined by Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) in introducing the Buying American Cotton Act, legislation that incentivizes the consumption of products made with U.S. cotton.
“It’s imperative we champion American-made cotton produced in our Cotton Belt states, like Alabama,” said Britt. “This legislative effort reinforces my commitment to our cotton growers and ginners by incentivizing the purchase of U.S. cotton and by combating the illegal market practices our adversaries implement to gain a competitive advantage.
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this critical industry to produce even more high-quality, Made in America cotton.”
The Buying American Cotton Act would authorize transferable tax credits on the sale of cotton products, including but not limited to apparel, home textiles, and nonwovens that are either fully manufactured in the United States or imported if made in whole or in part from U.S. extra-long staple cotton or upland cotton.
The domestic cotton industry has the technology to trace cotton from fiber to finished good, ensuring that tax benefits are accurately utilized by U.S. supply chains.
The tax credit would be offered to the first U.S. entity that sells an eligible product directly to a consumer in the United States. The credit would be based on a number of factors, including proof of U.S. origin, volume of U.S.-grown cotton in the product, and location of manufacturing. A summary of the Buying American Cotton Act is available here and the full text of the bill can be viewed here.
“Our family farmers are experiencing an existential crisis and need our support so they can continue feeding and clothing our state, nation, and world for generations to come,” Britt said. “The state of Alabama in 2023 experienced the third highest increase in input costs nationwide, and Alabama family farmers this year will lose almost $200 per acre, the fifth most across all 50 states, for a total of about $250 million statewide.”
Alabama is a leading cotton-producing state, with cotton grown in 59 of Alabama’s 67 counties making it one of the state’s most important row crops. The top three cotton-producing counties are in North Alabama – Limestone, Madison and Lawrence with Colbert County at No. 5.
Cotton production in Alabama for 2025 is estimated to total 655,000 bales. In 2024, the production value of cotton totaled over $222 million.
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