Congressional pours hot strong Coffee Caucus
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Hawaii Representative Jill Tokuda has brewed up the brand-new Congressional Coffee Caucus.
The new interest group starts with hot beverages - Kona coffee from Representative Jill Tokuda’s home state of Hawaii.
“Coffee has been around in Hawaii for over 200 years. It’s our second largest crop that we grow. It’s an iconic crop”
So an idea started to percolate - and from it came the Congressional Coffee Caucus.
“We have manufacturers, roasters and producers throughout our country. We have growers in Hawaii and the territory of Puerto Rico as well. We have got to make sure that we’re investing in an industry that gives back so much to our economies.”
According to data from the Food and Agriculture organization and the National Coffee Association, the coffee industry employs about 2.2 million Americans, and grinds out $343 bullion dollars in US economic activity annually.
William Murray with the National Coffee Association says it’s high time lawmakers start counting the beans.
“We have a voice here in Congress now for the first time ever.”
Rep. Tokuda, Democrat of Hawaii adds, “it’s bipartisan. Perhaps we can find some common grounds here.”
Copyright 2025 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
