NCTO Welcomes House NDAA Provisions To Strengthen Berry Amendment Compliance
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has welcomed the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), citing new provisions designed to strengthen compliance with the Berry Amendment and reinforce domestic textile manufacturing.
The House NDAA includes several reporting requirements directing the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to review and enhance adherence to Berry Amendment and Buy American provisions for textiles and apparel. The Berry Amendment mandates that the DOD procure 100% U.S.-made textiles, clothing and related products for military use.
Among the measures included in the legislation are assessments of waiver usage under the Berry Amendment, supplier verification and auditing practices, contracting strategies that support the long-term viability of the domestic defense textile industrial base and the feasibility of lowering the small-purchase exception threshold from $150,000 to $20,000. The bill also calls for evaluations of flame-resistant textile production capacity and reviews of potential non-compliant Army service uniforms.
Commenting on the development, Kim Glas, President and CEO of NCTO, said the provisions would help increase government procurement of American-made textiles while supporting domestic manufacturing and military readiness.
“These provisions reinforce a simple but vital principle: America’s military should be equipped with American-made products whenever possible,” Glas said. “Strong enforcement of the Berry Amendment helps ensure our armed forces have access to reliable, high-quality textile products while sustaining the domestic manufacturing base that supports national security.”
According to NCTO, the U.S. textile industry supplies approximately $1.8 billion worth of advanced textile materials and components to the military annually. The organization believes the new reporting requirements underscore Congress’s recognition of the strategic importance of a resilient domestic textile supply chain.
NCTO also acknowledged the efforts of Representatives Don Davis and Pat Harrigan, co-chairs of the House Berry Amendment Caucus, for advancing measures aimed at strengthening domestic sourcing requirements.
The association said it will continue working with House and Senate lawmakers to ensure the provisions are retained in the final FY 2027 NDAA and to support policies that enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the U.S. textile manufacturing sector.
