The National Council of Textile Organizations（NCTO） lauded recent congressional actions to preserve critical requirements for the Department of Defense （DOD） to buy U.S.-made textiles， clothing， and footwear.

Recently， the U.S. House of Representatives voted down an amendment to the defense appropriations bill （H.R. 5293） that would have permitted DOD to ignore the Berry Amendment and fund the purchases of foreign-made athletic shoes. NCTO supported a “NO” vote on the measure.

In May， U.S. Representatives Walter Jones （R-NC） and Niki Tsongas （D-MA） each offered amendments that were adopted by the House Armed Services Committee （HASC） during its markup of H.R. 4909， the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act （NDAA） that stopped attacks on the integrity of the Berry Amendment.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham （R-SC） has led efforts to protect the Berry Amendment during that bodys consideration of the NDAA （S. 2943）. Senators Jack Reed （D-RI） and Angus King （I-ME） also have worked hard to make sure DOD buys American.

“Laws requiring DOD to buy U.S.-made textiles， clothing， and footwear are pro-jobs and strengthen Americas national security，” said NCTO President and CEO Augustine Tantillo.

“We thank all members of the House and Senate who have voted and worked to preserve the integrity of the Berry Amendment，” Tantillo continued.

“The U.S. textile industry looks forward to working with our friends in the House and Senate to make sure the Berry Amendment is kept whole as Congress completes its work on important legislation to authorize and fund Americas armed forces，” Tantillo finished.

The Berry Amendment （10 USC 2533a） is a law requiring DOD to buy U.S.-made textiles， clothing， footwear， hand tools， measuring tools， and food.

NCTO is a Washington， DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

U.S. employment in the textile， clothing， and footwear supply chain was 592，000 in 2015.

It is estimated that DOD annually procures 8，000+ different textile items for use by the U.S. military and other allied organizations， and this figure rises to more than 30，000 line items when individual sizes are factored into the item mix.

NCTO – Mobilizing Support for the U.S. Textile Industry in the 21st Century

The National Council of Textile Organizations is a unique association representing the entire spectrum of the textile sector. From fibers to finished products， from machinery manufacturers to power suppliers， NCTO is the voice of the U.S. textile industry.

NCTO's mission is focused on creating powerful national and international alliances to advance the interests of the U.S. textile sector. As an organization， it is unrivaled in its composition which allows each segment of the industry to have a vote in determining NCTO policy.

The centerpiece of NCTO is the four separate councils representing the fiber， yarn， fabric， and supplier industries， each with its own board representation.

As a lobbying group， NCTO is harnessing the influence of an array of associations and business groups that have a stake in the survival and prosperity of the U.S. textile sector to leverage our impact in the halls of our nation's capital.

NCTO is also mobilizing global resources in its efforts to preserve the U.S. textile industry. Through new powerful international alliances， our voice is heard and has an impact from Washington， DC， to Geneva， to Beijing.

Domestically focused to ensure a prosperous future for the U.S. textile sector and globally positioned to work effectively with our international allies， NCTO is on the front lines meeting the challenges of the 21st Century.