Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Promote Domestic Hardwood Products

Representatives Tom Tiffany and Congresswoman Ann Kuster introduced bipartisan legislation this week to support domestic hardwood products.

The Hardwood Products Access and Development Program Act, permits the Agriculture Secretary to authorize grants that bolster domestic industry efforts and research that directly supports end-user information on the benefits of hardwood products. The grants will allow various nonprofits, universities, and other eligible applicants to research the low carbon footprint and sustainability of domestically produced hardwood products to educate the public on the benefits of these products.

Representative Tiffany, a Wisconsin Republican, says, “This important legislation will inform consumers on the sustainability of domestically produced hardwood products.” Representative Kuster, a New Hampshire Democrat adds, “American-grown hardwood offers an incredible opportunity to create more sustainable, durable products in countless industries right here at home.”

The U.S. hardwood industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry supporting over 1.8 million jobs, mostly in rural, underserved areas.