By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Legislation recently introduced in Congress aims to strengthen the cotton industry and protect critical processing infrastructure across rural America.

HR 5633, the Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act of 2025, directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to research and develop a harvest incentive insurance option for cotton farmers.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, would reduce financial risk for growers who face early-season crop failures and help maintain operation of gins, warehouses and other facilities that depend on consistent harvest volume.

“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,” Jackson said. “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.”

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas and supported by several agricultural organizations, including Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), National Cotton Council, American Cotton Shippers Association and Plains Cotton Cooperative Association.

“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,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said.

Much of Texas’ cotton-growing region has endured multiple years of drought. This legislation, groups said, would be critical for the cotton farmers and the local economies that rely on their production.

“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,” Boening said. “We appreciate Congressman Jackson’s leadership in championing this bill to help stabilize the cotton industry and protect the livelihoods of farm families.”

If passed, the bill would require the FCIC to:

  • Conduct research and development—or contract with qualified experts—to design a harvest incentive component within a revenue-loss insurance plan.
  • Make such a policy available within two years of enactment, provided it meets statutory and actuarial standards.
  • Submit a report to Congress within one year, outlining research results and implementation plans.

The measure would give farmers an additional safety net, encouraging continued harvest in difficult years and helping preserve the infrastructure vital to the cotton supply chain.

The bill has been referred to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture for consideration.

Read the bill text here.