Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
To require the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations requiring that optional combat boots worn by members of the Armed Forces wear be made in America, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to create new regulations regarding optional combat boots worn by members of the Armed Forces. Under these rules, members cannot wear optional combat boots as part of a required uniform unless the boots are entirely manufactured in the United States. The boots must also be made of materials that are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced within the U.S. Additionally, all components must be manufactured in the U.S. using those same domestic materials. The bill provides for certain exemptions regarding specific needs and medical requirements.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
By mandating domestic manufacturing for combat boots, the bill promotes job growth within the U.S. manufacturing sector.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
U.S.-based manufacturers and suppliers of footwear and materials will benefit from this requirement.
- Scored +3
Would union members be better off under this?
The focus on domestic manufacturing may support labor and union-heavy industries.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Domestic Manufacturing Requirement: The bill requires that optional combat boots be entirely manufactured in the United States using domestic materials (Section 1(a)). This ensures that the boots, their components, and their materials are produced within the country.
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Medical Accommodations: The prohibition on non-domestic boots does not apply if the boots are medically necessary to meet a unique physiological need of a member of the armed forces (Section 1(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Uniform Options: Members of the armed forces are prohibited from wearing optional combat boots as part of a required uniform unless those boots meet strict domestic manufacturing and material standards (Section 1(a)).
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Limited Availability for Specific Needs: While exemptions exist, a Secretary concerned may only waive the domestic manufacturing requirement if it is necessary to meet a specific use and specific need of the Department of Defense (Section 1(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — U.S.-based manufacturers and suppliers of footwear and materials will benefit from this requirement. Would union members be better off under this? — The focus on domestic manufacturing may support labor and union-heavy industries. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes specific medical exemptions for those with unique physiological needs.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — By mandating domestic manufacturing for combat boots, the bill promotes job growth within the U.S. manufacturing sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The domestic sourcing requirements may provide a stimulus to the domestic industrial base.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal regulatory oversight on military uniform standards.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gabe AmoDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mike BostRepublican · Illinois
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Steven HorsfordDemocrat · Nevada
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois