Ballistic Armor Made in America Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Introduced
Summary
would require DOJ to buy body armor made from U.S. ballistic fibers. It would also force armor makers to disclose where their products and fibers come from and ban “Made in America” labels when fibers are non‑U.S.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
DOJ to buy U.S.-made body armor
If enacted, this bill would bar the Attorney General from using DOJ funds to buy body armor that is manufactured from or contains ballistic fibers made outside the United States. The ban would not apply if the Attorney General finds U.S.-made armor cannot be procured as and when needed at United States market prices. The Attorney General could also allow items that meet the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 4862) or the Kissel Amendment (6 U.S.C. 453b) rules. The bill would also stop any NIJ-listed product that discloses foreign-made ballistic fibers from using “Made in America” markings.
New rules on armor sources and training
If enacted, the bill would require entities that submit ballistic-resistant body armor to NIJ testing to disclose every country where the armor is made and where any ballistic fibers are grown, reprocessed, reused, recycled, or produced. NIJ would have to put those country disclosures on its Compliant Products List within 90 days after enactment and update the list within 30 days whenever a model is newly certified. NIJ would also decide whether the rule applies to advanced replacement materials. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers director would provide a "Know Before You Buy" training for state and local entities that applied for or received DOJ grants to buy body armor. The bill would also define terms like "ballistic-resistant body armor," "hard armor," "soft armor," and "compliant products list."
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
LA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Biggs (SC)
SC • R
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Hunt
TX • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov