CLICK HERE to download PDF of "Team USA Made In America Act of 2012"

Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and nine of his colleagues today introduced the "Team USA Made In America Act of 2012" which would require the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to adopt a procurement policy for ceremonial uniforms for the Olympics, Paralympics and Pan-American Games that will require the uniforms to be made in the United States, unless the USOC provides to Congress a detailed justification for why the uniforms were not manufactured in the United States. On Friday, July 16, following the legislators' announcement that they intended to introduce such a bill, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun informed Menendez and later publicly announced that future ceremonial uniforms for Team USA, starting with the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, would be made in the USA.

"While I was shocked that it's not already a given that Team USA's ceremonial uniforms should be made in America, I welcome the United States Olympic Committee's commitment to rely on American manufacturers and industry to produce uniforms for our future American Olympians," said Menendez. "And while I appreciate that commitment, I look forward to the quick passage of this patriotic jobs bill so that the United States never finds itself in this embarrassing situation again."

"Olympians symbolize our pride for America and it's outrageous that their uniforms weren't made in America.This legislation will ensure that the U.S. Olympic committee supports American jobs and manufacturing, just as the entire nation comes together to support our Olympic athletes,"said Senator Lautenberg. "Made in America should be the rule for Olympic uniforms,andI am pleased that a commitment was madeto produce the 2014 Olympic uniforms in the United States."

The "Team USA Made In America Act of 2012" is also co-sponsored by Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Joe Manchin (D-WV).

Summary of the "Team USA Made In America Act of 2012":

  • The bill would amend the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act to require the adoption of a procurement policy that requires ceremonial uniforms for U.S. Olympians, including accessories, such as ties, belts, shoes, and hats meet the standards of the Federal Trade Commission for labeling as 'Made in USA.'
  • If the USOC can't meet the procurement requirement, they would have to provide a detailed justification for sourcing from overseas.
  • The legislation would take effect 90 days after enactment and would also compel a report from the USOC 90 days after enactment on actions taken by the Committee to comply with the Act.

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