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

January 29, 2026

Farm Bill Shows Signs of Life: House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) indicated earlier this week that his committee is targeting February 23 for marking up a “Farm Bill 2.0” reauthorization package. Recall that last year as part of the budget reconciliation bill signed July 4 parts of the Farm Bill were reauthorized, including a beneficial provision doubling funding for Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs. But other programs that we care about—including the Wood Innovation and Community Wood Grant programs—were left out of that package and were simply extended through September of this year. The Farm Bill 2.0 effort would include these two items, as well as the Forest Inventory and Analysis program and the Jobs in the Woods Act language. Chairman Thompson hopes to move this package to the House floor in the second quarter.

HF & HFPAC Board to Meet:  The Hardwood Federation and Hardwood Federation PAC Boards will meet next week to discuss policy priorities and advocacy activities for 2026.  The Board will be updated on current efforts to secure a economic relief package for the hardwood industry, the Administration’s focus on housing, and the potential of a Farm Bill and Transportation package in 2026.  The Boards will also consider fundraising strategies for both the Federation and the HFPAC. 

Government Shutdown?  All eyes are on the Senate as they scramble to pull off passage of the last remaining funding bill for FY 2026.  The threat of another government shutdown-albeit a partial shutdown-is keeping all relevant parties at the table.  The Senate has until Saturday to make a deal. Even if a deal is struck, the House would have to approve any changes to the existing proposal, creating even more uncertainty.

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

 





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