WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY), Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced H.R. 2697, the Affordable Footwear Act into the House of Representatives.  

If passed, the Affordable Footwear Act (AFA) would eliminate approximately $800 million in duties on a variety of footwear types, including lower-priced children’s, outdoor and performance footwear.

The following statements were released upon the introduction of the legislation:

JENKINS: “As we continue to work towards recovery, Congress must strive to relieve the burdensome costs Government puts on consumers, especially consumers in lower and middle income families.  That is precisely what this legislation does; it lifts burdensome and punitive tariffs that affect those who can afford it least.  I am proud to introduce this legislation in the House, and I am hopeful Congress will move quickly to consider this worthwhile legislation.”

CROWLEY: “This bill won’t help Carrie Bradshaw afford more Manolo Blahniks, but it will cut costs for working parents who shop for their children’s footwear at low-cost retailers.  The time has come to implement the Affordable Footwear Act and undo an out-dated, regressive tariff system that adds direct costs to U.S. shoe shoppers.”

BRADY: “Haven’t families paid too much for their shoes long enough? Congress should act soon to lift this outdated and unnecessary tariff which hits children’s shoes especially hard.  Every dollar in an American family’s paycheck counts so let’s work together to make footwear more affordable for families.”

BLUMENAUER: “Every American has a need for footwear, whether for work, school, or recreation,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03). “Yet the current system of tariffs on footwear places a regressive burden on working and low-income families. I am proud that this legislation will reduce the high tariffs on footwear and expand consumer choices, while protecting domestic producers.”

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