Kissell’s “Buy American” Bill Passes House

 CONCORD, NC – Today, Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) announced that H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, authored by Kissell, permanently requires the Department of Homeland Security and all of its agencies  to purchase and procure textiles made entirely in America.

 

“The brave men and women of the Department of Homeland Security deserve to be equipped and outfitted in uniforms made by our proud American workers,” said Kissell. “We can protect our American economy while also protecting our national security and borders.  The only way to ensure this is the case is to make these items right here at home. For the last 60 years the Berry Amendment has served our nation well, and  its expansion to the Department of Homeland Security will further benefit American manufacturing.”

 

The bill passed the House unanimously.

 

"We would like to thank Congressman Kissell for pushing this important legislation through the House of Representatives.  The U.S. textile industry has worked for years to secure Congressional passage of this pro-jobs and pro-national security legislation," said Auggie Tantillo, Executive Director of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition. “Congressman Kissell’s 'buy-U.S.' legislation will provide a shot in the arm to America’s economy that has suffered more than 5.6 million U.S. manufacturing jobs losses in the last decade.  For every $10 million spent annually under H.R. 3116, the U.S. government will create or save 500 badly needed U.S. manufacturing and other jobs.”

 

The Berry Amendment Extension Act received bipartisan support and endorsements from many groups, including  the American Manufacturing Trade Act Coalition, the National Textile Association, the National Council of Textile Organizations, the National Cotton Council, and the United States Industrial Fabrics Association International.

 

“Those who protect us deserve the best, and the best is always made in the United States,” said Kissell from the House floor.

 

The legislation requires all agencies within the Department of Homeland Security to follow the “Buy American” guidelines, including the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

 

The legislation will directly benefit  domestic U.S. textile manufacturers, including many throughout North Carolina’s 8th District.

 

“Richmond Specialty Yarns, LLC would like to thank Congress for continuing to protect American jobs and industry through legislation like the Berry Amendment and Congressman Kissell’s Berry Amendment Extension Act,” said Andrew Barker, Vice President of Matrix Yarns, Inc., partners of Richmond Specialty Yarns, LLC located in Ellerbe, NC. “While the prevalent thought is that textiles is a dying industry, our business is thriving and reform like Congressman Kissell’s has helped us to continue to innovate and grow while creating products for the military, Department of Homeland Security, and Transportation Safety Administration.  These requirements not only help our business, but the entire textile supply chain across the United States.”

 

The Berry Amendment, originally enacted in 1941, requires the U.S. Department of Defense to procure a range of domestically produced or grown items with 100% U.S. content. The Berry Amendment Extension Act reinforces and expands Kissell’s amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which extended Berry Amendment provisions to the Transportation Security Administration.

 

“As this important piece of legislation moves on to the U.S. Senate, I’m sure we can count on Senators Hagan and Burr to move it forward for signature by the President,” added Kissell. “ Jobs and national security are on the line. We don’t have a moment to waste.”

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