WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Department of Defense (DOD) will require new recruits to use their footwear allowance to purchase athletic footwear that is compliant with the Berry Amendment, such as athletic shoes made by New Balance, once they are available in the marketplace.  For several years, Maine’s Senators have urged the Pentagon to buy footwear made in the USA rather than circumventing the Berry Amendment, which has ensured that American soldiers wear and use, to the greatest extent possible, American-made uniforms and equipment since 1941.

Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox called both Senators Collins and King to inform them of the decision.

“This decision will create more American manufacturing jobs at no cost to the taxpayer simply by requiring the military to buy American-made athletic footwear for new recruits, just as it does for other uniform items for our troops,” Senator Collins said. “Maine has a long and proud shoemaking history, and officials from the Defense Department have seen first-hand the quality work being done by the talented men and women at New Balance in our state.”

“This is a real victory for Maine and is proof positive of what we already know – that American manufacturers, like New Balance, produce some of the best and most capable footwear in the world,” Senator King said. “This decision by the Defense Department is a vote of confidence in the hardworking men and women of New Balance and represents an important commitment to supporting local manufacturing and investing in jobs here at home. Our recruits deserve to wear the finest American-made shoes available, and I am proud New Balance footwear will have a fair shot at serving the men and women of our military.”

Senators Collins and King have strongly urged the Pentagon to procure footwear made in the USA rather than circumventing the Berry Amendment. 

Last May, Senators Collins and King authored a bill that would require DOD to treat athletic footwear like every other uniform item, including boots, and ensure that such items are bought from American manufacturers, such as New Balance, which manufactures some of its products at factories in Norridgewock, Skowhegan, and Norway, Maine.

Last September, senior civilian officials from the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy visited the New Balance facilities in Norridgewock, Maine.  This was in response to Senator Collins’ request for Defense Department officials to visit one of the premier domestic athletic shoe manufacturers to see first-hand that the domestic capacity exists to produce high-quality athletic shoes at a cost comparable to what we are already allocating to our service members for such footwear.

Senators Collins and King have also written several letters to the President and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel urging them to require the footwear worn by our troops are top quality and made in America.

A response from Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox to Senators Collins and King can be viewed here and here.

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