AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Rep. Bruce Poliquin has beaten back an attempt to remove his language from the National Defense Authorization Act which would require the Defense Department to buy uniforms and related equipment, such as boots and athletic shoes, from American manufacturers.
"This is a huge victory for the state of Maine if we can bring this to conclusion," Poliquin says. "There are 900 athletic shoe manufacturing jobs that are in our 2nd District, in Skowhegan, Norridgewock, and Norway, Maine."
Those plants are owned by New Balance, the only maker of 100 percent American-made athletic shoes. Existing federal law that dates from World War II requires the Defense Department to buy uniform components from American manufacturers when one is available.
Poliquin's language enforces that provision. Maine Sen. Angus King has proposed similar language in the Senate version of the bill.
