Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., tried and failed in mid-July 2017 to pass an amendment adding stainless steel flatware to the list of products the military must buy from manufacturers with USA supply chains, The Washington Post reported July 14, 2017.
Who it would have helped
The change would have benefited Sherrill Manufacturing, also known as Liberty Tabletop, in Tenney’s district in upstate New York. The company and its supporters say it is the only flatware maker that sources its products entirely in the USA. Its supply chain spans five states and dozens of companies, including an Ohio steel supplier.
Sherrill took over what was left of Oneida’s local operations after Oneida closed its New York production in 2004. CEO Greg Owens said Sherrill once did $5 million to $6 million a year in business with the General Services Administration. That has fallen to about $800,000 a year.
Why flatware lost protection
Oneida had been the only USA flatware maker compliant with the Berry Amendment. Flatware lost that protection in 2006, during a broader loosening of specialty-metals sourcing rules. Steve Green, a former House Armed Services Committee staffer who worked on the change, said there was no domestic steel flatware maker at the time.
What’s next
A spokeswoman for Tenney said the office would keep pushing. The plan was to try to get the measure added to the omnibus spending bill. The Post reported that Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., might offer a similar Senate amendment. Taxpayers for Common Sense opposed the idea, arguing that it would raise costs.
The flatware rule was eventually enacted. See our coverage of the FY2020 NDAA flatware provision.
FAQ
What did the amendment propose?
Adding stainless steel flatware to the products the military must buy from USA supply chains.
Why does flatware matter?
It lost Berry Amendment protection in 2006, and Sherrill says it is the only fully USA-sourced flatware maker.
Did the push continue?
Yes. Tenney’s office said it would keep trying through the spending bill.
Source & credit
Source: The Washington Post via Stars and Stripes: “As Trump moves to enforce ‘Buy American’ laws for military, legislators raise their forks”, by Aaron Gregg, July 14, 2017.