Georgia cotton growers are backing a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff to help U.S. cotton growers sell more product.
From a press release from Senator Jon Ossoff’s office:
Sen. Ossoff recently cosponsored the bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act of 2025 to incentivize retailers to sell products made with U.S. cotton to boost demand for cotton grown in the U.S., becoming the first Senate Democrat to back the bill.
The bipartisan bill, led by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), would provide a tax credit to companies when they sell cotton products that are made from cotton grown in the United States.
Now, key leaders in Georgia’s cotton industry are backing Sen. Ossoff’s efforts to pass the bill.
“The Buy American Cotton Act will be a game changer for U.S. Growers and could ultimately save the cotton industry in this country. I am grateful for the bipartisan support for this legislation,” said State Representative Jaclyn Ford, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dixon Gin Company.
“The bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act will provide tremendous benefits to Georgia’s cotton producers and consumers. Increasing demand for U.S. cotton will be a game-changer for our domestic cotton industry. The traceability aspect of U.S. cotton provides consumers certainty on where the cotton in their textiles was grown. I look forward to the passage of this bipartisan legislation and seeing more of our Georgia-grown cotton in stores across the United States,” said Matt Coley, Owner, Coley Gin & Fertilizer Company.
“By the people, for the people- The natural fiber that connects all Americans. Thank you, Senator Ossoff, for showing our nation the unity found in a single American fiber through your support of the Buying American Cotton Act. We are proud to stand with you, and we thank you for standing with us Georgia Proud,” said Jon Stallings and Family, Funston Gin Company.
“Georgia’s cotton growers are essential to our state’s economy,” Sen. Ossoff said. “This bipartisan legislation will help bolster Georgia cotton production and give our growers a competitive edge over global competitors.”
According to the University of Georgia, Georgia consistently ranks as a top U.S producer of cotton, producing an estimated 2 million bales of cotton. This is an external link every year. The cotton industry contributes around $3 billion annually. This is an external link to Georgia’s economy.
Georgia farmers face increasingly challenging economic conditions due to high costs of production, low market prices, tariffs, and heightened global competition.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Georgia’s agricultural industry.
Last November, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan Securing American Agriculture Act to help decrease dependence on China for agricultural imports.
Last September, Sen. Ossoff joined lawmakers across the aisle to urge the United States Trade Representative to prioritize American pecan producers in ongoing trade negotiations with India.
Last August, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan United States Citrus Protection Act alongside Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to support and protect Georgia’s citrus growers by banning imports of fresh citrus from China, which can undercut domestic citrus producers and hurt the rapidly growing citrus industry in Georgia.
In December 2024, Sen. Ossoff successfully fought to pass a bipartisan disaster relief package that included $21 billion in agricultural disaster funding to help Georgia farmers recovering from the disastrous impacts of Hurricane Helene and farmers nationwide impacted by natural disasters.
