Hardwood Industry Makes Their Voice Heard

On Tuesday, October 14, the Hardwood Federation transmitted a letter to Trump Administration officials making the case that U.S. hardwood companies should be included in any trade assistance programs addressing agriculture industries negatively impacted by trade and tariff policies. While the farming community, particularly those how harvest soybeans are the focus of significant attention as exports have slowed, it is important for decision makers at the highest level to understand that the hardwood industry, an important agricultural industry sector, is also suffering from uncertain global markets.  The letter was sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutkin, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Over 430 hardwood mills, manufacturers, yards, logging companies, and suppliers signed on to the letter.

Working with Monument Advocacy, a D.C. based consulting group hired by the Federation to increase our outreach capacity, the industry letter has resulted in significant attention from the press.  You can see a sample of recent stories covering the letter here. And we are not done yet.  Monument continues to share the letter with state and local press outlets and connect hardwood industry members with journalists as requested. If you have press contacts in your local area, feel free to share the letter and encourage coverage.

Articles from home states are also being shared with Members of Congress.  The federal government shutdown has closed the doors of many offices, but officials are still working in their home states.  It’s a great time to share the letter with your representatives and senators.  You can find office e-mail addresses at Contact.Gov.

The Hardwood Federation continues to focus advocacy efforts on raising awareness of current challenges facing the industry and the need to structure trade agreements that support exports or provide bridge support to sustain hardwood operations until such deals can be achieved. Thank you to everyone that has supported the Hardwood Federation as we make every effort to address the challenges of today.



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Washington Watch

Welcome to the Second Session of the 119th Congress.

The House is out of session this week, while the Senate is here and working to head off another federal government funding lapse. The current Continuing Resolution runs out January 30. The upper chamber will try to pass a 6-bill package that includes funding for the Departments of Defense, Health and State and accounts for about 75 percent of federal discretionary spending.

The only notable hearing this week is in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Wednesday. The panel will receive testimony on “The Federal Environmental Review and Permitting Processes, Part II.”

U.S. House of Representatives

  • The House is in Recess.

U.S. Senate

  • The Senate is in Session.


Cheat Sheet

February 5, 2026

Hardwood Federation Boards Meeting: On Monday, February 2, 2026, the Hardwood Federation Board of Directors and the Hardwood Federation PAC Board of Directors met in Indianapolis, IN.   Board members, elected by the Association members of the Federation were confirmed, the Board was updated on progress towards establishing  and funding an economic relief program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and reviewed policy priorities for 2026.  Although landowners and other wood products related sectors are also working on relief packages, the Federation remains committed to developing a hardwood specific programs rather than a more general wood products solution.  The Board heard updates on other key policy priorities including increased truck weights through the reauthorization of the Transportation Bill, increased use of hardwoods in the built environment, and potential for passing a 2025 Farm Bill. The Boards also discussed fundraising and budget needs for both the Federation and the HFPAC in 2026, including how current industry challenges impact efforts. The Federation will continue to update you on these efforts via the Cheat Sheet and our newsletters.

Biomass as a Renewable Fuel:  The Hardwood Federation and a number of other hardwood associations and companies signed a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin advocating for modernizing the treatment of woody biomass under the national Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) so that liquid fuels derived from forest biomass could qualify under the mandate. The current definition disqualifies virtually all fuel from woody biomass from eligibility. Under the existing statute enacted in 2007, only trees sourced from plantations growing on land cleared prior to December 19, 2007 (date of enactment) would qualify. Fiber from federal land is also not eligible, nor is any slash from private land that may include whole trees. Sawmill residuals also face eligibility challenges if the sawmill owner cannot trace all the fiber back to qualifying tree plantations.  The letter was led by the National Alliance of Forest Owners.  Forest landowner advocates are looking to move biomass definitional language as part of a broader effort underway by ethanol advocates to extend E-15 blended gasoline sales year-round. We will keep you apprised of developments.

Thoughts on the Cheat Sheet? Let us know at Hardwood.Federation@hardwoodfederation.com

 





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