By Miles Moore, Senior Washington Reporter
WASHINGTON (Oct. 4, 2013) — The defense reauthorization package for fiscal year 2014 directs the U.S. Armed Forces to heed the existing "Buy American" clause for athletic footwear purchased for military personnel.
It also defines those materials prohibited from being burned as waste in open pits, including tires, batteries and more than nominal amounts of plastics.
Footwear maker Wolverine Worldwide Inc. applauded the "Buy American" footwear clause in a Sept. 30 news release.
"The domestic footwear industry has a long and rich heritage of designing and producing a broad range of quality footwear for the Armed Services," Wolverine said. "Committing to the domestic production of athletic footwear for our military is a natural progression for U.S. footwear companies and will ensure a future of affordable, high-quality athletic shoes for our men and women in uniform."
The defense bill also contains a list of products and materials that are prohibited from being discarded in open-air burn pits.
Among the materials listed are: tires; batteries; treated wood; plastics (except for insignificant amounts left after a good faith effort to remove or recover plastics from the solid waste stream); munitions and explosives; foam tent material; polychlorinated biphenyls; asbestos; and various other products and materials.
The defense bill passed the House June 14 on a 315-108 vote. It was sent July 8 to the Senate, which has yet to act on it.
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