US lawmakers launch Berry Amendment Caucus for military manufacturing

The caucus will focus on protecting and modernising the Berry Amendment, which mandates that the Department of Defense procure certain textiles, clothing and other mission-critical materials from domestic sources.

US lawmakers have launched the bipartisan Berry Amendment Caucus to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and reinforce military supply chains.
It will focus on protecting and modernising the Berry Amendment, which mandates US sourcing of key military textiles and materials, drawing support from industry groups including NCTO and WPRC.

The caucus begins with double-digit membership and aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains while safeguarding US warfighters and supporting American industry. Congressman Pat Harrigan will serve as co-chair of the newly formed caucus.

“You cannot be the strongest military in the world while depending on foreign supply chains for mission-critical gear,” Harrigan said in a press release, emphasising that equipment defending the US should be made domestically. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Harrigan has prioritised rebuilding the defence industrial base and ensuring reliable, American-made military materials.

The caucus will act as a bipartisan forum to highlight domestic industrial capacity in sectors such as textiles, uniforms, armour and specialty materials. It will support factories producing Berry-compliant goods, educate lawmakers on the scope of products covered under the law, and advocate for consistent enforcement and modernisation of Berry requirements to meet evolving warfighter needs.

Industry groups welcomed the initiative. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) expressed strong support for the caucus, underscoring the importance of preserving and expanding the Berry Amendment to safeguard domestic supply chains and ensure US troops receive high-quality, American-made products.

The Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition (WPRC) also praised the move, calling it an important step in sustaining and growing the domestic industrial base that equips the American warfighter.

First enacted in 1941, the Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense to procure key mission-critical items, including textiles, clothing, footwear, body armour, tents and food, from domestic sources, helping maintain secure supply chains and support the US defence industrial base.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)