North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy and Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell have introduced legislation aimed at increasing the use of American-grown cotton.
The Buying American Cotton Act will incentivize the consumption of products made with cotton grown in the United States with a tax credit. The credit would be offered to the first U.S. entity that sells an eligible product directly to American consumers.
Eligibility for 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.
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“American cotton growers, especially those in Eastern North Carolina, play a critical role in our nation’s farm economy,” Murphy said. “They help supply countless industries with high-quality raw material to produce clothing, home goods, industrial and medical products, and much more. Global competition has made survival for our cotton growers difficult, straining rural communities and destabilizing our supply chain. I am proud to put Eastern North Carolina first by introducing the Buying American Cotton Act to support its rich tradition of producing high-quality cotton for the United States and the world.”
North Carolina ranks sixth in the nation for cotton production, with cash receipts of nearly $311 million in 2024, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. That total includes cotton lint and seed, and accounts for more than 2 percent of North Carolina’s total farm commodity sales.
Alabama ranks just behind North Carolina in cotton production, with an estimated 600,000 bales produced in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Alabama’s cotton growers are an essential part of our agricultural community,” Sewell said. “At a time of growing uncertainty for farmers, I’m proud to join Congressman Greg Murphy to introduce the Buying American Cotton Act which will protect American jobs and provide more stability for cotton growers right here in Alabama.”
The U.S. ranks fourth behind China, India and Brazil in global cotton production, according to the USDA, accounting for an estimated 12 percent of total global production or 14.41 million bales in 2024/2025. China and India account for nearly half of the world’s cotton, producing 27 and 20 percent, respectively, with a combined total of 55.2 million bales during the same period.
“We need to continue to strengthen demand for U.S. cotton to keep our farms running and our rural communities strong,” said Chris Sawyer, a cotton farmer in Greenville, North Carolina, which is part of the district Murphy represents. “The Buying American Cotton Act advances those goals by ensuring that U.S.-grown fiber remains a top choice for brands and retailers.”
Similar legislation was introduced last year by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi. That bill also offered tax credit incentives for U.S. cotton product consumption, but stalled before making it through Congress.
