Don Young American Grown Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4784
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-12T08:05:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Don Young American Grown Act" (H.R. 4784) aims to promote the use of domestically grown cut flowers and cut greens in official displays within specific federal buildings. It seeks to support U.S. agriculture by requiring that such decorative items be sourced from the United States, rather than imported.
Key Provisions
- Display Limitation: Cut flowers or cut greens cannot be officially displayed in any public area of buildings belonging to the Executive Office of the President, the Department of State, or the Department of Defense unless they are produced in the United States.
- Exception for Personal Use: The rule does not apply to cut flowers or greens used by federal officers or employees for their own personal decoration.
- Definitions:
- Cut flower: A flower removed from a living plant for decorative purposes.
- Cut green: Foliage, greens, or branches removed from a living plant for decorative use.
- Produced in the United States: Grown in any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory or possession, or land under the jurisdiction of a federally recognized Indian Tribe.
- Effective Date: The law takes effect one year after its enactment, allowing time for preparation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal requirement for sourcing decorative cut flowers and greens in specified public areas of certain government buildings. Prior to this, there were no explicit mandates in federal law restricting the origin of such items for official displays, potentially allowing imports without restriction. The change enforces a "buy American" policy specifically for these items in targeted executive branch locations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Executive Office of the President, Department of State, and Department of Defense may face increased administrative efforts to verify and source domestic products, potentially raising costs for official events or decorations. Compliance could involve updating procurement guidelines.
- On Citizens: U.S. flower and greens producers, particularly in agriculture-heavy regions, could benefit from a captive market in federal buildings, boosting local economies and jobs in the floral industry.
- On International Relations: The restriction might slightly reduce demand for imported cut flowers and greens from trading partners, but its narrow scope (limited to specific federal displays) is unlikely to significantly affect broader trade agreements or diplomatic ties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Producers: Domestic growers of cut flowers and greens, including those on tribal lands, stand to gain from mandated federal purchases.
- Federal Agencies: The Executive Office of the President, Department of State, and Department of Defense must implement and enforce the sourcing rules for public displays.
- Federal Employees: Indirectly affected through the personal use exception, allowing flexibility for individual choices.
- International Suppliers: Foreign exporters of cut flowers and greens may lose access to these federal markets, though the impact is minimal given the bill's limited application.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill creates enforceable procurement standards, potentially leading to oversight by committees like Oversight and Government Reform. Violations could result in administrative penalties, but it includes clear definitions to minimize ambiguity.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, promoting domestic production without broadly restricting trade. No apparent conflicts with free speech or equal protection arise from the content-based exception for personal use.
- Political Implications: Named after the late Representative Don Young, known for supporting Alaskan agriculture, the bill reflects bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) and emphasizes national economic priorities. It could set a precedent for expanding "buy American" rules to other minor federal expenditures, influencing future agriculture or procurement policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-29: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Don Young American Grown Act — issued 2025-07-29 — PDF (3 pages)