Press Releases

The co-chairs of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus highlighted the U.S. House of Representatives approval today of one of the group’s legislative priorities: the Don Young American Grown Act.

The bipartisan bill, which was added as an amendment to the House’s annual defense policy bill earlier this week, requires that any cut flowers or cut green officially on display in public areas of the Executive Office of the President, Department of Defense, or Department of State be grown in the United States, District of Columbia, or territory.

The Cut Flower Caucus Co-Chairs for the 118^th Congress are Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and John Duarte (R-CA).

“California and the Central Coast are home to nearly three quarters of all American-grown cut flowers, and I have seen firsthand the value that this vital industry brings to the local communities and economies that I represent,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal . “While there is still work to be done to return this defense policy bill to a place that can secure the widespread bipartisan support it has in year’s past, I’m encouraged to see our legislation included to honor the legacy of Congressman Young and the importance of supporting American growers in the halls of our nation’s top leaders and diplomats.”

“The cut flower industry is important to Washington state’s economy, and I am proud to introduce the Don Young American Grown Act in his honor to support American farmers and the families, employees, and communities who rely upon them,” said Rep Newhouse.

“Every day, we should be proud to be an American, and I am pleased that our home-grown products will be proudly displayed in federal agency buildings. I have said before that food security is national security, and it is imperative that we expand that to include supporting American farmers and the rural economy,” said Congressman LaMalfa.

“Proud Americans expect their federal government and public spaces to celebrate the immense beauty and bounty of our country,” said Rep. Panetta.  “I was proud to support and help pass the bipartisan Don Young American Grown Act to ensure that our White House, Department of Defense, or State Department only display cut flowers or green that are grown only in America.  Representative Young championed this commonsense measure, and its passage not only honors his legacy but will continue to promote our agriculture on the Central Coast and across our country.”

“Over the past few years, especially during the pandemic, Mainers have embraced the ‘Buy Local’ movement – which includes locally-sourced flowers. The cut flower industry creates jobs, supports local economies, and allows us to embrace nature’s beauty,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine). “As Co-Chair of the House Cut Flower Caucus, I’m thrilled the Don Young American Grown Act is being included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. This simple, bipartisan bill ensures federal agencies are purchasing local, American-grown flowers, and honors our late Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Young.”

Representative Don Young of Alaska, who passed away in 2022, was the lead sponsor of the bill in both the 116^th and 117^th Congresses.

The text of the bill can be found HERE.

Founded in 2014, the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus was created to help address, support, and represent the economic interests and opportunities facing America's flower farmers.

The Congressional Cut Flower Caucus is a bipartisan coalition established to set the agenda and educate Congress on the cultural and economic value of flower and green farms.