A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has created the Berry Amendment Caucus, a new congressional forum intended to reinforce domestic defence manufacturing and reduce the military’s exposure to overseas supply disruptions for essential equipment.
The caucus will concentrate on protecting and updating the Berry Amendment, the long-standing sourcing requirement that directs the Department of Defense to procure certain textiles, clothing and other mission-critical inputs from US suppliers. Organisers say the group begins with membership in the double digits and is focused on strengthening military readiness by supporting American production capacity and limiting reliance on foreign supply chains. Congressman Pat Harrigan will serve as a co-chair.
“You cannot be the strongest military in the world while depending on foreign supply chains for mission-critical gear,” Harrigan said in a press release, arguing that equipment used to defend the US should be produced domestically. Harrigan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has highlighted the need to rebuild the defence industrial base and ensure consistent access to reliable American-made materials.
The Berry Amendment Caucus says it will spotlight US industrial capability across areas such as uniforms, armour, specialty materials and defence textiles. It also plans to support Berry-compliant factories, improve awareness among lawmakers of the products covered under the law, and advocate for consistent enforcement and modernisation so requirements keep pace with evolving warfighter needs.
Industry groups welcomed the move. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) voiced strong support, emphasising that preserving and expanding the Berry Amendment helps protect domestic supply chains and ensures US troops receive high-quality US-made goods. The Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition (WPRC) also praised the initiative, describing it as an important step toward sustaining and expanding the industrial base that equips American warfighters.
Originally enacted in 1941, the Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense to source a range of mission-critical items domestically, including textiles, clothing, footwear, body armour, tents and food—policies supporters say remain central to supply chain security and the long-term strength of the US defence industrial base.