The co-founders of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus wrote President Barack Obama today asking him to establish a formal policy for using American-grown flowers at the White House.

Reps. Lois Capps, D-Calif., Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, thanked Obama for using American-grown flowers at the state dinner for French President Francois Hollande this spring, but said the policy should be continued.

“We believe that highlighting American-grown flowers is consistent with longstanding policy. As you know, it has been official White House policy since President Lyndon Johnson’s administration to highlight American wines,” they wrote.

"This effort helped dispel the old perception that American wines were inferior to those in Europe. A more formalized effort to highlight American-grown flowers would both complement and supplement these important programs."

▪ Cut Flower Caucus Letter to Obama