Politicians Want to Expand Buy-American Amendment
Congressman Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) introduced legislation on March 14 to extend the Berry Amendment to include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Currently, the Berry Amendment requires the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Agency to buy their clothing and equipment from U.S. companies using domestic components.
The action was supported by the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition and the National Council of Textile Organizations.
“This legislation not only recognizes that our Department of Homeland Security needs a dependable domestic supply of vital products, it recognizes that we have to take steps to stop the disastrous hemorrhage of U.S. manufacturing jobs,” AMTAC Executive Director Auggie Tantillo said in a statement.
The legislation, H.R. 4946, had 21 congressional representatives who co-sponsored it, including Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter from California.
If expanded, the revised Berry Amendment would mean that the various agencies under Homeland Security would have to buy their uniforms, shoes and other equipment from U.S. manufacturers. DHS encompasses such agencies as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. —Deborah Belgum
