July 17, 2012

Manchin: Make Sure That America’s Olympic Uniforms are Made in the USA

Washington, D.C. – After learning that the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team’s uniforms were outsourced to China, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is joining his colleagues to require that athletes’ uniforms will proudly carry the “Made in the U.S.A.” logo when they walk in the opening ceremonies. 

Along with Senator Manchin, the “Team USA Made in America Act of 2012” was introduced by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)   

“Our American athletes are so proud to carry the American flag – and I know that they would be proud to wear the ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ logo, too. The Olympic Games are one of the most patriotic events I can think of, and every two years, they bring the people of this country together – whether you’re a West Virginian or a New Yorker, Democrat or Republican, live in the country or live in the city,” Senator Manchin said. “This idea is pretty simple: When the best American athletes are representing this country, they should be wearing the best ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ uniforms. 

“This truly brings to light the magnitude of the problem of outsourcing American manufacturing jobs – something we must work to solve, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans. I know we can bring these jobs back to the U.S.A.” 

The bill would amend the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act to require that ceremonial uniforms for U.S. Olympians be sewn or assembled in the United States with fabrics formed and cut in the United States or components knit to shape from yarns wholly formed in the United States. If the USOC can't meet the requirement, the committee would have to provide a detailed justification for sourcing from overseas.

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