Domestic shoemakers took their case to Capitol Hill at the U.S. Footwear Manufacturing Association (USFMA) annual meeting in Washington, Sourcing Journal reported on March 31, 2025.
What they asked for
- USFMA asked that the Defense Department’s Manufacturing Technology program give the footwear industry $15 million in fiscal 2026 for pilot lines and small-scale production.
- The group backed the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which would require Berry Amendment-compliant USA-made boots. About half of base-duty footwear, roughly 250,000 pairs, comes from overseas brands or offshore production.
- Executive director Bill McCann told Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) that about 1% of footwear bought in the USA is made here, and the goal is 3% to 5%.
- New Balance’s Kevin McCoy described new factories in New Hampshire and Maine that combine craftsmanship with robotics.
- Suppliers warned that some base materials are no longer made in the USA and must be imported.
“Currently, about 1 percent of the footwear purchased in the United States is made here.”
Bill McCann, USFMA executive director
Why it matters for Made in USA
Military contracts give domestic shoemakers steady volume, and that volume can support the supply chain for consumer shoes too. Without it, the industry says it cannot scale.
FAQ
What is the BOOTS Act?
A bill that would require service members to wear Berry Amendment-compliant USA-made boots.
How much funding did USFMA request?
$15 million from the DoD ManTech program for fiscal 2026.
How many shoes sold in the USA are made here?
About 1%, according to USFMA.
Source & credit
Source: Sourcing Journal, March 31, 2025: “Domestic Footwear Makers Push Washington to Prioritize ‘Made in the USA’”, by Kate Nishimura. Full text also via Yahoo.