American producers are celebrating a significant victory for domestic industry following the advancement of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2026 by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) on Tuesday evening.
The NDAA includes the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which mandates the Secretary of Defense to implement regulations prohibiting servicemembers from purchasing optional combat boots made overseas as part of their required uniforms within the next two years. Instead, servicemembers will primarily need to acquire American-made boots, with few exceptions allowed.
Additionally, the NDAA seeks to close a loophole in the Berry Amendment that currently allows the military to purchase textile products from foreign manufacturers under a threshold of $150,000.
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the domestic textile and apparel supply chain, has backed the BOOTS Act for some time, advocating for increased access for U.S. manufacturers to government contracts, particularly those related to military outfitting.
NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas praised the HASC for passing the FY 2026 NDAA with provisions designed to enhance domestic manufacturing and increase American economic competitiveness while also addressing the mission-critical needs of the Armed Forces.
Glas specifically highlighted the bipartisan efforts of Congressman Don Davis (D-N.C.) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) in amending the NDAA to support onshore industries. The lawmakers have also campaigned to eliminate the small-purchase exemption within the Berry Amendment, which has previously allowed military acquisition of textiles made abroad—resulting in substantial losses for American textile manufacturers.
“Eliminating this exemption will lead to the military procurement of more American-made military textile products as well as oversight of Berry Amendment compliance,” Glas stated.
Presently, American manufacturers produce over 8,000 items each year for the armed forces, including more than $1.8 billion worth of uniforms and equipment.
The U.S. Manufacturing Association (USFMA) has also been actively championing the BOOTS Act, rallying a coalition of members in Washington to urge lawmakers for its inclusion in defense spending legislation.
According to the trade association, military branches have previously sidestepped the Berry Amendment, designed to ensure that soldiers are equipped with American-made products, through the longstanding loophole, leading to personnel often opting for cheaper combat boots manufactured in China.
USFMA emphasizes the importance of allowing American manufacturers a legitimate opportunity to compete for defense contracts, arguing that enhancing their capabilities within this sector will also enable them to grow and enhance their commercial capacities, thus strengthening the overall U.S. footwear supply chain.
The association has also pointed out national security risks arising from the current inability to completely outfit military personnel with domestic products. A recent war game conducted by the Defense Logistics Agency indicated that, in a wartime scenario, the domestic supply chain would need a minimum of a year and a half to ramp up to effectively meet military demands for footwear and other essential gear.
In a statement following the vote, USFMA expressed its satisfaction with the BOOTS Act’s integration into the NDAA, describing it as a crucial and promising step toward ensuring that servicemembers wear combat boots made in America. The organization intends to continue its advocacy efforts in the Senate, where the NDAA will undergo final passage.
Apart from the BOOTS Act, the NDAA also introduces provisions regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals.” These substances are present in various products, including firefighting foams, cookware, food packaging, and certain apparel and footwear for waterproofing and oil resistance.
PFAS have been connected to numerous health issues, including different types of cancer. Though the NDAA doesn’t directly address PFAS in military clothing or footwear, it does mandate the Department of Defense to develop a strategy aimed at expediting the cleanup of PFAS contamination at military and National Guard installations, thereby safeguarding servicemembers from potential hazards.
Under the new provisions, the Department of Defense is required to create a publicly accessible dashboard outlining cleanup efforts and timelines.
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