NCTO Welcomes House NDAA Passage, Backs Stronger Berry Amendment Enforcement
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of the U.S. textile industry from fiber producers to finished sewn product manufacturers, has welcomed the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC).
The trade association said the legislation includes several reporting requirements designed to strengthen enforcement of the Berry Amendment, which mandates that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) procure 100% American-made textiles and clothing for military use.
Kim Glas, President and CEO of NCTO, praised the committee’s action and highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong domestic textile manufacturing base that supports national defense requirements.
“We applaud the House Armed Services Committee for passing the FY 2027 NDAA and including provisions that, if enacted, will lead to increased government purchases of more Made in America textiles and bolster domestic manufacturing while meeting the mission-critical needs of our Armed Forces,” Glas said.
She also acknowledged the efforts of Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC), co-chairs of the House Berry Amendment Caucus, for leading initiatives to strengthen Berry Amendment provisions within the House legislation.
According to NCTO, the NDAA contains multiple measures directing the Department of Defense to review and strengthen compliance with Berry Amendment and Buy American requirements for textiles and apparel.
The proposed reporting requirements include an assessment of waiver usage under the Berry Amendment, evaluation of supplier verification and auditing practices, and examination of contracting strategies that support the long-term health of the domestic defense textile industrial base.
In addition, the legislation calls for an assessment of the feasibility of reducing the Berry Amendment’s small-purchase exemption threshold from $150,000 to $20,000, both broadly and specifically for textile procurement. The bill also directs reviews of flame-resistant textile production capacity and resilience, as well as examinations of potential non-compliant Army service uniforms.
NCTO emphasized that these measures would help reinforce domestic supply chains while improving transparency and accountability in defense procurement practices.
“The U.S. textile industry supplies approximately $1.8 billion in advanced textile materials and components to our military each year,” Glas noted. “These reporting requirements send an important signal that Congress recognizes the strategic value of maintaining a strong domestic textile supply chain and is committed to protecting it.”
The association said stronger enforcement of Berry Amendment provisions not only supports domestic manufacturing jobs but also ensures that military personnel have access to reliable, high-quality textile products essential for operational readiness and national security.
NCTO stated that it will continue working with lawmakers in both the House and Senate to ensure that the provisions remain part of the final FY 2027 NDAA and to advance policies that strengthen the U.S. textile industrial base.
The legislation now moves forward in the congressional process as lawmakers work toward finalizing defense funding and policy priorities for Fiscal Year 2027.
