Bill Mandating Made-in-USA Sneakers Advances

A provision to require the military to provide American-made sneakers to personnel upon arrival at basic training has survived an attempt by a South Carolina lawmaker to remove it.

The House approved the defense spending bill on Thursday after the provision survived a late challenge led by South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford, a Republican. Supporters led by Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine and Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts prevailed.

The provision applies the Berry Amendment to athletic shoes. That amendment requires the defense department to give preference to home-grown products.

The provision benefits New Balance, which employs 900 people at three Maine factories.

Both the House and Senate have included the provision in their National Defense Authorization Act proposals, but the Senate has yet to approve the defense funding bill.