# 119-hr-4159: To require the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations requiring that optional combat boots worn by members of the Armed Forces wear be made in America, and for other purposes.

119-hr-4159, To require the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations requiring that optional combat boots worn by members of the Armed Forces wear be made in America, and for other purposes., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] (D-IL); status introduced (as of 2026-07-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4159
- As of: 2026-07-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4159
- Congress: 119
- Title: To require the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations requiring that optional combat boots worn by members of the Armed Forces wear be made in America, and for other purposes.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-06-26
- Sponsor: Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-19

## Summary

**Requires U.S.-made optional combat boots.** This bill would require the Department of Defense to bar wearing optional combat boots as part of any required uniform unless the boots, their components, and the materials they are made from are entirely manufactured or grown in the United States. - Service members: Limits which privately purchased boots may be worn with a required uniform by applying only to boots not furnished by the Department of Defense. A medical exemption allows a waiver when unique physiological needs exist. - Domestic manufacturers: Creates a strong market preference for U.S. boot makers because foreign-made or mixed-material optional boots would generally be prohibited when worn as part of a required uniform. - Department of Defense: The Secretary would have 730 days to issue regulations and could grant narrow waivers for availability under 10 U.S.C. §4862 for specific uses and needs. The rule would apply uniformly across all branches of the armed forces.

## Cosponsors (8)

- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12] (R-IL), 2025-06-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2] (D-ME), 2025-06-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (R-PA), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4] (D-NV), 2025-07-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17] (D-IL), 2025-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2025-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2025-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1] (D-RI), 2026-06-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New limits on optional military boots: cost, low. If enacted, DoD would have 730 days to issue rules. The rules would bar wearing optional combat boots with a required uniform unless the boots, their parts, and materials are all made in the United States. Optional boots are those not furnished by DoD. Exceptions would apply for a unique medical ne…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-2725: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025
- 119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
- 119-hr-2048: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
- 119-hr-909: Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-4159 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4159)

## Related
- [119-hr-2725: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2725)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1065)
- [119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage A…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-842)
- [119-hr-2048: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2048)
- [119-hr-909: Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-909)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4159 (as of 2026-07-19).