The bill,developed in close consultation with the outdoor industry, U.S. textile sector and Congressional representatives, is projected to lower costs for outdoor industry business, prevent rising retail prices and spur innovation by US companies, according to the outdoor Industry Association.
A key componet of the bi-partisan measure, co-sponsored by Greg Walden and Mike Thompson in the House and Senators Roy Blunt, Ddianne Feinstein, Jeff Merkley, Rob Portman and Jeanne Shaheen in the Senate, is the elimination of onerous dutes on new classifications of performance outwear designed specifically for outdoor recreation. The Senatr version of the bill, meanwhile, also includes the Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research Fund that will promote US jobs and technologies through investments in US research programs and services that aid in the development of sustainable, eco-friendly apparel supply chains.
