Lawmakers Advocate for All US Military Footwear to Be Made Domestically

Key Takeaways

A new bipartisan bill, the BOOTS Act, mandates that all combat boots for U.S. service members be manufactured in the U.S.
The Act aims to support American manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, particularly from China.
The legislation has garnered support from a range of lawmakers and industry associations, highlighting concerns about troop readiness and national security.

BOOTS Act Aims to Strengthen American Military Footwear Production

A new bipartisan initiative, the Better Outfitting Our Troops, or BOOTS Act, has been reintroduced in the Senate with the goal of ensuring that all combat boots worn by U.S. service members are produced entirely within the United States. This legislation has gained traction among a diverse coalition of lawmakers from both major political parties. Notable sponsors include Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Angus King (I-Maine), along with Representatives Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), and Jared Golden (D-Maine).

Current Defense Department regulations permit the purchase of combat boots manufactured in foreign countries, exposing U.S. troops to lower-quality options that not only undermine the domestic supply chain but also threaten American businesses. Proponents of the BOOTS Act assert that mandating American-made optional combat boots would enhance the quality of footwear available to service members while simultaneously decreasing reliance on foreign supply chains. Senator Duckworth emphasized that this initiative will strengthen the defense industrial base and foster job creation in American manufacturing communities.

The bill raises concerns about the use of Chinese-manufactured boots for U.S. troops, especially as the DOD intensifies its focus on countering threats from China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Representative Budzinski, who represents Belleville, Illinois — home to Belleville Boot Co. — highlighted the long-standing American manufacturer’s struggle against inexpensive imports that jeopardize domestic jobs and pose risks to military readiness and national security.

Recent data from the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA) reveals alarming statistics: American manufacturers currently produce less than 1% of the estimated 2.7 billion shoes sold annually in the U.S. Furthermore, up to 50% of service members are said to be wearing foreign-made “optional” boots, mainly sourced from China and Vietnam, while on duty.

The BOOTS Act has been endorsed by numerous American companies and associations, including Belleville Boot Co., Glacial Lakes Rubber and Plastics, and the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Bill McCann, Executive Director of the USFMA, argued that foreign-made boots undermine military readiness and create disadvantages for American manufacturers, thereby weakening the U.S. supply chain. He stated that this proposed legislation offers a sensible change that ensures uniformity among military-issued footwear and supports domestic manufacturing efforts to enhance capacity.

The BOOTS Act represents a significant step towards reinforcing national security through stronger domestic production capabilities and ensuring that U.S. service members are equipped with high-quality, American-made combat boots. This legislation is not only about footwear quality but also about prioritizing job growth and the health of the U.S. industrial base at a critical juncture in global affairs.

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