Greenville Leader

U.S. Representatives William Timmons (R-SC-4) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) announced the formation of the Congressional Coffee Caucus. The caucus aims to highlight coffee's role in the U.S. economy and strengthen the global supply chain.

“Coffee is a vital part of the U.S. economy, supporting millions of American jobs and generating billions in revenue from coast to coast. Beyond that, its health benefits keep our workforce sharp,” said Rep. Timmons. The caucus seeks to unite lawmakers to develop policies promoting economic and well-being advancements.

Representative Tokuda emphasized coffee's economic significance: "Coffee is more than just a daily ritual—it’s a vital pillar of our economy, supporting millions of farmers, businesses, and communities across the country. From the fields in my home state of Hawaiʻi, to the roasteries and manufacturing plants in South Carolina and Vermont, coffee is consumed and enjoyed in every congressional district in the nation. That’s why I’m proud to launch the Congressional Coffee Caucus with my colleague Rep. Timmons to highlight the positive impacts of our coffee industry that brings people together, one cup at a time.”

The caucus has outlined focus areas that include agricultural resilience, economic development, and promoting healthy diets through scientific research on coffee's health benefits. To support these objectives, the caucus will advocate for increased research funding, prioritization in trade policies, and economic development in coffee-growing regions that align with U.S. national security interests.

“With two-thirds of American adults drinking coffee each day, NCA is proud to see Congressional leaders sharing the joy of coffee and kicking off this historic effort to recognize coffee as a touchstone in Americans’ daily lives and a huge driver of economic value in every U.S. state and territory,” stated National Coffee Association President and CEO William “Bill” Murray.

Hawaiʻi Coffee Growers Association representative Kimo Falconer also congratulated the bipartisan effort: “Congratulations to Reps. Tokuda and Timmons in leading this Congressional bipartisan effort to support the important needs of the U.S. coffee industry. Coffee may be small in scale when compared to most American agricultural production, but we rank very high in keeping American commerce moving. Mahalo to all of you.”

Members of the caucus include Co-Chairs Tokuda and Timmons, with participation from representatives across several states, indicating broad bipartisan support for the initiative. This group reflects the wide-reaching impact and importance of coffee across the United States.