Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

SKOWHEGAN

Michaud wants US footwear for soldiers

By Doug Harlow dharlow@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-2nd District, is asking President Obama to stand by his "Made in America" pledge by having the U.S. military issue American-made athletic footwear to all enlisted soldiers.

Michaud on Friday introduced a bill called the "American Shoes for American Servicemembers Act." The act would clarify that the Berry Amendment, which requires that the Defense Department buy certain products from American companies, applies to footwear.

"For decades the Defense Department procured American-made athletic footwear for our military's physical training uniforms, just like they procured American-made shoes for dress and combat uniforms," Michaud said in a news release. "But they recently stopped providing American-made shoes for our troops to train in, and that's just not right. We need to be doing everything we can to promote job creation in our country, especially during these difficult times."

Items that come under the Berry Amendment include food, clothing, fabrics, stainless steel and some tools.

In August, Michaud visited the New Balance factory in Skowhegan, where he heard directly from the company and its workers about their ability to make athletic footwear for the military. He also expressed his support of the company and his opposition to a proposed trade agreement with Vietnam and other nations that would lift tariffs on imported footwear.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association, of which New Balance is a member, supports Michaud's efforts.

"For more than 70 years, the Berry Amendment has applied to footwear," said Kevin M. Burke, president and CEO of the association, in a news release. "Yet recent actions by the defense department have led to purchases of footwear that are not compliant with the Berry Amendment. We welcome the efforts of Congressman Michaud to spotlight these problems."

Congress first established this domestic preference for Defense Department procurement in 1941 and for decades the military branches complied by issuing American-made uniforms, including athletic footwear, for American troops, Michaud said in his letter to Obama.

"In recent years, however, DOD has circumvented this policy by issuing cash allowances to soldiers for their own purchase of training shoes," he said.

Department officials have said that items bought with a soldier's cash allowance did not constitute procurement and, therefore, were not subject to Berry Amendment standards, according to Michaud.

"DOD's ability to avoid Berry Amendment requirements simply by issuing a cash allowance for certain uniform items is troubling, and their sudden decision not to issue American-made athletic footwear is disconcerting," he said. "Despite this available domestic source, DOD continues to circumvent Berry Amendment requirements by requiring servicemembers to purchase their athletic footwear with their cash allowance."

Doug Harlow -- 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com