Two US Senators - Kelly Ayotte and Maria Cantwell - have reintroduced a bipartisan legislation that would lower or eliminate outdated tariffs on recreational outerwear and support America's outdoor economy.
On her official web page, Ayotte said the bipartisan United States Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation Act (US OUTDOOR Act) would modernise tariffs that were originally enacted to protect domestic manufacturing of outerwear performance apparel.
In July 2007, the US International Trade Commission found that recreational performance apparel produced in the US makes up less than one per cent of the total recreational performance market. The bill would make outdoor apparel such as water-resistant jackets and pants more affordable for consumers and help outerwear retailers to create jobs, import goods, and invest in research and development of new cutting-edge performance apparel.
"New Hampshire's economy relies on the outdoor recreation industry, which generates $4.2 billion in consumer spending in our state each year," said Senator Ayotte, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. "This legislation would lower costs for outdoor enthusiasts and companies that sell outdoor recreational
Senator Cantwell, a member of the Senate Committee on Finance said, "The bill will make long-overdue adjustments to these outdated tariffs that will lead to lower costs for consumers and businesses, and encourage growth in our state's $22 billion outdoor economy."
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) was quick to applaud the introduction of the US Outdoor Act in the Senate.
"We appreciate Senator Ayotte's continued support for outdoor recreation, and we applaud her efforts to keep tariffs on outdoor gear low, and thereby support Timberland's place in the outdoor economy," said Stewart Whitney, Brand President of Timberland, which is based in Stratham, New Hampshire.
