Rep. Jackson Introduces Bill to Fortify the TX-13 Cotton Industry

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act, creating a critical lifeline for the cotton industry, which has struggled in recent years due to decreased production and increased financial insolvency of downstream cotton infrastructure operations. This bill would prompt the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to develop a crop insurance policy to help cotton producers manage increased risks associated with harvesting crops that were failed in the early growing season, ensuring additional volumes are processed throughout the cotton industry supply chain.

"The cotton industry has faced significant production challenges in recent years, and we must ensure that both our cotton farmers and supply chain have the support they need to remain viable for future generations," said Rep. Ronny Jackson. "My bill will help stabilize the cotton industry, ensuring that our cotton gins, warehouses, merchants, and cooperatives have ample product to continue serving America's cotton producers and supporting rural communities across the U.S."

Cosponsors include Representative Jodey Arrington.

American Cotton Shippers Association, Buddy Allen, President & CEO: "Thank you, Congressman Ronny Jackson, for introducing legislation urging the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to consider harvest incentive policies. This is a central policy objective for the American Cotton Shippers Association to ensure that the U.S. supply chain handles the necessary volume to fully utilize our industry's infrastructure, stimulating rural economies, and protecting our share in highly competitive markets."

National Cotton Council, Patrick Johnson, Chairman: "Given the many challenges facing the Cotton Belt, we must pursue every option that not only supports our producers but also reinforces the supply chain. Representative Jackson's Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act will keep our fiber moving and bolster the competitiveness of the American cotton industry."

Plains Cotton Cooperative Association President & CEO and Amcot Director, Kevin Brinkley: "Representative Jackson's bill is an important step toward strengthening the cotton industry's supply chain. By requiring the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop harvest incentives, this legislation recognizes the economic pressures growers face and helps ensure that cotton continues to move from the farm to gins, warehouses, and beyond. Stabilizing harvest decisions not only benefits our growers but also sustains the jobs and infrastructure that depend on a reliable cotton supply. PCCA is proud to support this effort."

Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., Kody Bessent, Chief Executive Officer: "Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. enthusiastically supports the Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act introduced by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas). The infrastructure segment of the U.S. cotton industry is crucial to the success of our cotton producers. Unfortunately, due to three years of severe drought, infrastructure, specifically cotton gins, have not received the commodity volume they desperately need for financial stability. Once a gin closes, it never comes back, leaving producers with fewer and fewer processors for their product. Without our infrastructure, the future of our industry is in jeopardy. At the same time, this legislation allows producers to remain financially protected as they harvest. We appreciate Rep. Jackson's forward thinking that will protect our gins, warehouses, merchants, cooperatives and manufacturers, which will ensure that our producers succeed."

Rolling Plains Cotton Growers, Sutton Page, Chairman: "The cotton industry has worked internally to make crop insurance more intuitive for producers across the region through a harvest incentive. We commend Rep. Jackson for his efforts to include a legislative recommendation for RMA to complete this research and analysis. We know that a harvest incentive will help producers bring more cotton in from the field, resulting in a much needed boost tomorrow, economies across West Texas, and the rest of the cotton belt."

Texas Farm Bureau, Russell Boening, President: "Texas Farm Bureau strongly supports Congressman Ronny Jackson's "Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act of 2025," which advances research and a pilot program for harvest incentives in the federal crop insurance program," "This effort recognizes the critical role our region plays in the cotton supply chain. Providing farmers with a per-acre indemnity to help offset rising input costs will encourage harvest and keep gins, warehouses, merchants, cooperatives, and manufacturers supplied with cotton. We appreciate Congressman Jackson's leadership in championing this bill to help stabilize the cotton industry and protect the livelihoods of farm families."

Comprehensive list of stakeholders supporting: Amcot, American Cotton Shippers Association, Cotton Growers Warehouse Association, Cotton Warehouse Association of America, National Cotton Council, Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., Rolling Plains Cotton, Southwest Council of Agribusiness, and Texas Farm Bureau.

Bill text can be found here.