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119-s-2199119th Congress

A bill 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 the United States, and for other purposes.

Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

Introduced

Summary

Require U.S.-made optional combat boots as part of a required uniform. This bill would direct the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations within two years banning service members from wearing optional combat boots with a required uniform unless the boots, their materials, and their components are entirely manufactured in the United States.

Show full summary
  • Service members: Would have to use optional combat boots that meet strict U.S. manufacturing and material rules when those boots are worn as part of a required uniform. A medical exemption lets members use different boots if they have a unique physiological need.
  • Military leadership and procurement: The Secretary of Defense must write rules and Secretaries concerned can use an existing DoD availability waiver under 10 U.S.C. 4862(c) to allow specific-use boots when no compliant option meets a critical need.
  • U.S. footwear industry: The rule ties uniform footwear to domestic production and aims to push sourcing of materials and components to U.S. manufacturers.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

U.S.-made boot rule for service members

If enacted, the Secretary of Defense would write rules within two years. The rules would stop service members from wearing optional combat boots with a required uniform unless those boots are entirely made in the United States. That includes materials and components grown, produced, reprocessed, reused, or manufactured in the United States. "Optional combat boots" means boots not issued by the Secretary of Defense. The rule would not apply if boots are medically necessary for a unique physiological need. A military department head could also waive the rule for boots made for a specific use under 10 U.S.C. 4862(c) when no U.S.-made option meets the need.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 6/26/2025

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

    ME • R

    Sponsored 6/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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