July 2 was "Made in the USA" Day, so on this July 4th, POPVOX would like to highlight efforts in Congress to promote buying American-made products.
But first, here's a recent proposal that passed the House: Last month, the House passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Michaud (ME) that would require any footwear provided to new members of the Armed Forces be made in America. Since 1941, the Department of Defense (DOD) has been required to provide clothing items for servicemembers that are produced in the United States. However, the DOD has circumvented this policy by issuing cash allowances to new recruits for their own purchase of athletic training shoes. (Learn more.) The Senate's version of the bill is still pending.
"Made in the USA" Legislation
Updated 8/15/13
- HR 2664 Made in America Act: To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a voluntary program under which manufacturers may have products certified as meeting the standards of labels that indicate to consumers the extent to which the products are manufactured in the United States. — Recently Introduced —
- S 63 Made In America Manufacturing Act: to require the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor to establish the Made In America Incentive Grant Program. (And HR 375 in the House.)
- HR 194 Congressional Made in America Promise Act: To clarify the applicability of the Buy American Act to products purchased for the use of the legislative branch, to prohibit the application of any of the exceptions to the requirements of such Act to products bearing an official Congressional insignia.
- HR 1480 Buy America Accountability Act: To amend chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code (commonly known as the Buy American Act), to require each department or independent establishment to conduct an annual audit of its contracts for compliance with such chapter.
- S 1051 A bill to ensure that footwear furnished or obtained by allowance for enlisted members of the Armed Forces upon their initial entry into the Armed Forces complies with domestic source requirements. (And HR 2188 in the House.)
- S 1214 All-American Flag Act: to require the purchase of domestically made flags of the United States of America for use by the Federal Government. (And HR 2355 in the House.)
- HR 1817 American Steel First Act: To require certain Federal agencies to use iron and steel produced in the United States in carrying out projects for the construction, alteration, or repair of a public building or public work.
- HR 2595 American Parks, American Products Act: To help ensure that all items offered for sale in any gift shop of the National Park Service or of the National Archives and Records Administration are produced in the United States. (And S 1384 in the Senate.)
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
