Rep. Golding of Maine Introduces NNDA Amendment Relating to Optional Combat Boots

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 8800 OFFERED BY MR. GOLDEN OF MAINE

"At the appropriate place in title III, insert the following:

"SEC. ___. REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO WEARING OPTIONAL COMBAT BOOTS.

"(a) IN GENERAL. — Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations to prohibit any member of a covered Armed Force from wearing optional combat boots as part of a required uniform unless the optional combat boots are entirely manufactured in the United States and entirely made of —

"(1) materials grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States; and

"(2) components that are manufactured entirely in the United States and entirely made of materials described in paragraph (1).

"(b) WAIVER. — The requirements of subsection (a) may be waived if a member of a covered Armed Force provides a medical justification authorized by the commanding officer of such member to wear optional combat boots as part of a required uniform.

"(c) EXCEPTION. — The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply to a member of a covered Armed Force within a combat arms military occupational specialty who is in a deployed status.

"(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:

"(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.

"(2) The term ‘‘optional combat boots’’, with respect to a member of a covered Armed Force, means combat boots not furnished to such member of a covered Armed Forces by the Secretary of Defense.

"(3) The term ‘‘required uniform’’ means a uniform a member of a covered Armed Force is required to wear as a member of a covered Armed Force."

Cold Weather Combat Boot: Sole Source Justification

June 4, 2026, Cold Weather Combat Boot.

Manufacturer: Belleville Shoe Manufactming Company (CAGE: 90976)

Estimated Maximum Total Dollar Value: $2,461,350.

This action is required to keep production lines operational for the only current manufacturer of this boot, Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Company, as well as production lines of its supplier of a specialized and critical boot component. The Cold Weather Combat Boot is a critical piece of equipment for Warfighters operating in cold, wet, and rugged environments. This boot's unique design keeps airfighters' feet warmer and drier with its waterproof and breathable characteristics while also providing better ankle support and protection compared to the normal combat boot.

Market research has confomed that Vibram Corporation is the only manufacturer of the specialized outsoles used in the production of this boot This outsole differs from others as its rubber composition can provide flexibility and traction with deep lugs for gripping ice/snow invextreme temperatures as it is formulated to sustain -20°C temperatures. If this production line ceases operation due to a gap in contracts, the industrial base will be negatively impacted in terms of extended employee layoffs of skilled operators and increased production lead time.

House Armed Services Committee Adopts NDAA Amendment Relating to UHMWPE Fiber

Amendment to H.R. 8800, Offered by: Mr. Harrigan (N.C., 10th, Republican)

Passed on voice vote.

"In the appropriate place in the report to accompany H.R. 8800, insert the following new Directive Report Language:

"Expansion of Domestic Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Production Capacity

"The committee remains concerned about documented capacity shortfalls in the domestic ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber industrial base. There are concerns that domestic UHMWPE production may be insufficient to meet national security requirements under surge conditions. There is also the possibility that facility utilization may exceed 100 percent as early as fiscal year 2026. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2027, on the Department’s strategy to address UHMWPE fiber capacity shortfalls. The briefing shall include the following:

"1. an assessment of current and projected UHMWPE fiber requirements across all services for soft armor vests, hard armor plates, ballistic helmets, and vehicle protection systems through fiscal year 2030;

"2. an evaluation of domestic manufacturing capacity gaps and the Department’s plan to achieve capacity sufficient to meet 100 percent of requirements plus 30 percent surge capacity;

"3. the advisability of designating UHMWPE fiber as a critical material under Defense Production Act Title I authorities;

"4. the status of Berry Amendment compliance among domestic UHMWPE suppliers and the availability of PFAS-free armor solutions; and

"5. any legislative authorities required to achieve capacity targets or address industrial base vulnerabilities."

Notice of Determination in Brazil 301 Investigation

On June 4, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (91 FR 33854) Notice of Determination and Request for Comments Concerning Action Pursuant to Section 301: Brazil’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services; Unfair, Preferential Tariffs; Anti-Corruption Enforcement; Intellectual Property Protection; Ethanol Market Access; and Illegal Deforestation.

SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) has determined that certain of Brazil’s acts, policies, and practices at issue in this investigation are actionable under Section 301(b) and Section 304(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act). The Trade Representative is proposing action, including tariffs on articles of Brazil and certain exemptions, and invites comments from the public.

DATES: July 1, 2026: Due date for written comments.

White House issues new executive order to strengthen customs enforcement, protecting U.S. consumers and businesses

On June 3, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to strengthen customs enforcement, protecting U.S. consumers and businesses.The Order directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to strengthen several requirements for importers of record (IORs). Examples include:

• increasing bonding requirements and requiring IORs to maintain at all times a minimum level of tangible domestic assets, bonding, or both;

• subjecting foreign IORs to heightened requirements for formal entry;

• authorizing only U.S. IORs to file informal entry;

• imposing a “good standing” requirement on all IORs; and 

• increasing vetting procedures for all individuals and entities that conduct activities directly related to the importation of goods.

The Order directs DHS and CBP to establish various disclosure and certification requirements designed to combat duty evasion and noncompliance with supply chain rules.

The Order directs DHS and CBP to increase enforcement of existing customs laws, including by establishing a 50% minimum penalty floor limiting CBP’s discretion to reduce the assessed penalties on importers who violate our customs laws. 

The Order directs DHS to enhance the seizure and disposal of non-compliant imports, including by reducing regulatory burdens to voluntary abandonment and authorizing third-party disposal.

The Order directs DHS to enhance transparency in customs, including by publishing annual transparency reports.

The Order directs DHS to propose legislation to strengthen customs enforcement.  

PROMOTING ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND NATIONAL SECURITY BY COMBATTING CUSTOMS FRAUD: President Trump recognizes the critical role of customs enforcement to our national security and that action is needed to address longstanding issues with the existing regulatory environment.

• Customs enforcement is essential to the national security and economy of the United States. For example, it prevents the importation of unlawful and dangerous goods, and it ensures that IORs are accountable for duties owed and comply with numerous federal laws, including laws governing forced labor and product safety.
• Customs reform is long overdue. Systemic inefficiencies, loopholes, insufficient enforcement mechanisms, and outdated processes have created opportunities for malign actors to evade federal law.
• The Order addresses these longstanding concerns through comprehensive reform focused on protecting national security, promoting lawful trade, ensuring the timely collection of duties, modernizing systems and processes, bolstering compliance mechanisms, and protecting Americans and the domestic economy. 
• The Order also brings U.S. customs policy and practice in line with many of our trading partners. For example, the current practice of most foreign countries is to either prohibit foreign entities or persons from serving as the IOR or generally require that foreign importers partner with verified domestic parties. This practice promotes compliance and accountability while reducing barriers to enforcement.  
• The reforms directed in the Order will not take effect immediately. In general, DHS and CBP will engage with relevant stakeholders through the standard rulemaking process, meaning affected parties will have a meaningful opportunity to adjust operations, if needed.

The Order directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to strengthen several requirements for importers of record (IORs). Examples include:

• increasing bonding requirements and requiring IORs to maintain at all times a minimum level of tangible domestic assets, bonding, or both;
• subjecting foreign IORs to heightened requirements for formal entry;
• authorizing only U.S. IORs to file informal entry;
• imposing a “good standing” requirement on all IORs; and 
• increasing vetting procedures for all individuals and entities that conduct activities directly related to the importation of goods.
• The Order directs DHS and CBP to establish various disclosure and certification requirements designed to combat duty evasion and noncompliance with supply chain rules.
• The Order directs DHS and CBP to increase enforcement of existing customs laws, including by establishing a 50% minimum penalty floor limiting CBP’s discretion to reduce the assessed penalties on importers who violate our customs laws. 
• The Order directs DHS to enhance the seizure and disposal of non-compliant imports, including by reducing regulatory burdens to voluntary abandonment and authorizing third-party disposal.
• The Order directs DHS to enhance transparency in customs, including by publishing annual transparency reports.
• The Order directs DHS to propose legislation to strengthen customs enforcement.  

PROMOTING ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND NATIONAL SECURITY BY COMBATTING CUSTOMS FRAUD: President Trump recognizes the critical role of customs enforcement to our national security and that action is needed to address longstanding issues with the existing regulatory environment.

• Customs enforcement is essential to the national security and economy of the United States. For example, it prevents the importation of unlawful and dangerous goods, and it ensures that IORs are accountable for duties owed and comply with numerous federal laws, including laws governing forced labor and product safety.
• Customs reform is long overdue. Systemic inefficiencies, loopholes, insufficient enforcement mechanisms, and outdated processes have created opportunities for malign actors to evade federal law.
• The Order addresses these longstanding concerns through comprehensive reform focused on protecting national security, promoting lawful trade, ensuring the timely collection of duties, modernizing systems and processes, bolstering compliance mechanisms, and protecting Americans and the domestic economy. 
• The Order also brings U.S. customs policy and practice in line with many of our trading partners. For example, the current practice of most foreign countries is to either prohibit foreign entities or persons from serving as the IOR or generally require that foreign importers partner with verified domestic parties. This practice promotes compliance and accountability while reducing barriers to enforcement.  
• The reforms directed in the Order will not take effect immediately. In general, DHS and CBP will engage with relevant stakeholders through the standard rulemaking process, meaning affected parties will have a meaningful opportunity to adjust operations, if needed.

Vietnam 301 Investigation Initiated

On June 2, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (91 FR 33285) Initiation of Section 301 Investigation and Request for Public Comments: Vietnam’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 182(a)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), the U.S. Trade Representative (Trade Representative) identified Vietnam as a priority foreign country due to Vietnam's denial of adequate and effective protection of intellectual property (IP) rights and its denial of fair and equitable market access to persons that rely on IP protection. Pursuant to section 302(b)(2) of the Trade Act, the Trade Representative is initiating a Section 301 investigation of the acts, policies, and practices of the Government of Vietnam related to IP protection and enforcement that resulted in the identification of Vietnam as a priority foreign country. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposes to determine that these acts, policies, and practices are actionable under section 301(b). USTR invites interested persons to submit written comments concerning the issues covered in the investigation.

AAFA Submits Comments to USTR on AGOA Modernization

On May 15, 2026, the American Apparel and Footwear Association submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Represntative Comments on AGOA Modernization.