Country of Origin Labeling Bill Passes Senate
The Reinforcing American-Made Products Act, which would prevent states from making more stringent rules for “Made in USA” labeling than the Federal Trade Commission rule, passed the Senate by unanimous consent Sept. 15. A House companion bill has not yet been introduced.
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The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Angus King, I-Maine, was introduced in February. At that time, Lee said, “Unfortunately, some states have made it unnecessarily difficult for businesses to use the ‘Made in USA’ label and empowered trial lawyers to get rich through differing labeling standards. This bill solves that problem by making one national standard for the ‘Made in USA’ label.”
“Senator King’s bill establishes a federal 'Made in U.S.A.' standard that benefits American manufacturers and encourages increased domestic manufacturing,” Amy Dow, New Balance's director of public relations and government affairs, said. “We applaud this legislation that supports our hundreds of New Balance associates in Maine at our Norridgewock, Norway and Skowhegan factories who are proudly producing our premium Made in U.S.A. athletic footwear.”