The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to expand the Berry Amendment to the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).


Under current law, the Berry Amendment requires the U.S. Department of Defense to “buy American” for certain products that are judged to be essential to our military readiness.  “Buy American” means that 100 percent of the product is produced and manufactured in the United States. 

The bill,  H.R. 3116, was backed by domestic textile and apparel interests an is sponsored by Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC) and backed by Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC), cochairman of the Congressional Textile Caucus.


“Buy American means that 100 percent of the product is produced and manufactured in the United States,” said Coble. “I am not aware of any situation, Mr. Speaker, where it has limited the ability of our military to procure items and it has ensured that our troops receive the highest quality essential equipment.  Finally, it helps certain costs in the long term.


Because Berry-type requirements are only permissible for agencies that are critical to national security, the expansion would only effect procurement at the Transportation Security Administration, because of its national security role in securing our various and sundry airports.


The bill has been endorsed by AMTAC, the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition and NCTO, the National Council of Textile Organizations.


Coble said the Berry Amendment has helped save or create approximately 70,000 jobs in the United States, half of which are in the domestic textile industry.  Conservative estimates from textile industry associations indicate another 21,000 jobs could be created by extending the Berry Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security, he said. 


The bill passed the House by voice vote.  H.R. 3116 now goes to the Senate for further action.