Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has signed on to the American Grown Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at supporting domestic flower growers and horticultural producers. Spearheaded by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and in partnership with Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Angus King, I-Maine, the legislation mandates that key federal agencies procure only U.S.-grown cut flowers and cut greens.

The bill targets the president’s office, the Department of Defense and the Department of State, requiring the agencies to purchase decorative florals solely from U.S. growers. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., has introduced a companion bill in the House.

Sullivan remarked that the “one cause that can bring members of Congress together” is the Buy American commitment and noted that the federal government spends millions of taxpayer dollars every year on flowers and greenery for special events.

“The American flower industry, and California in particular, grows vibrant flowers and greenery, and it’s important that the hard work of our country’s growers is supported,” said Schiff. “Our bipartisan bill ensures that the federal government continues to boost this robust industry while creating jobs and promoting American-grown products.”

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King emphasized that most of the government dollars spent on floral products go abroad and said the legislation represents a “simple fix that will boost both our flower industry and economy at large.”

California has long stood at the center of the nation’s cut flower industry, but the market has continued to shrink as consumers favor cheaper imports. The state accounts for roughly 70% of all domestic production, while imports make up nearly 80% of the flowers sold in the U.S. market, according to University of Illinois research. Domestic production peaked at $458 million in 2014 but dropped to roughly $350 million by 2023.

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