Senate Armed Services Committee NDAA

S.4784 LEGISLATIVE TEXT

Sec. 839: Textile Industrial Base Assessment.

The Senate Armed Services Committee recommends a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to contract with a federally funded research and development center to conduct a detailed assessment of the textile industrial base providing uniform items to the military services.

Sec. 840: Subsidies for Combat Boots.

The Senate Armed Services Committee recommends a provision that would require the Secretary of the Army, not later than June 1, 2027, to establish and implement a pilot program to provide subsidies for the cost of certain combat boots to members of the Army that receive a uniform allowance.

Sec. 841: Team for Textile Industrial Base.

The Senate Armed Services Committee recommends a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, to institute, not later than April 1, 2027, a cross-functional team on the textile industrial base to improve supply chain stability and resiliency. The provision also requires that the cross-functional team shall establish a pilot program, no later than January 1, 2028, to revitalize supply chains in the domestic textile industrial base.

REPORT TO ACCOMPANY S.4784.

Page 50. Automated textile manufacturing program.

The committee notes that in the table for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-wide, there is an increase to PE 0607210D8Z, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment, of $50.0 million for the automated textile manufacturing program.

The committee notes the importance of the domestic textile industrial base to warfighter readiness for the production of Berry-compliant uniforms, footwear, and other textile and fabric applications. The committee encourages the Department of Defense to use the automated textile manufacturing program to identify and fund opportunities to expand production capacity and enhance competition within the domestic textile industrial base.

Page 188. Accelerate report on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance-free chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protective garments.

The committee understands that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free textile technologies can provide new performance capabilities for individual Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment. Individual CBRN protection is a key part of strategic deterrence against our adversaries. The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense may not be able to provide the servicemembers with advanced individual CBRN protection equipment unless it accelerates efforts to acquire and field PFAS-free textile technologies. In the Senate report accompanying S. 2296 (S. Rept. 119-39) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, the committee requested a briefing on ongoing efforts and a strategy to acquire PFAS-free textile technologies for individual CBRN protective equipment but has yet to receive the required briefing.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees, not later than February 1, 2027, on the Department's assessment to acquire PFAS-free textile technologies for individual CBRN protective equipment as soon as feasible. The briefing should include:

(1) Current efforts to secure the industrial base for PFAS-free textile technologies for individual CBRN protective equipment;

(2) A description of how advanced performance may enable new CBRN doctrines that enhance survivability and lethality in contested environments; and

(3) Any resources or legislative authorities necessary or beneficial to ensure these new technologies can be fielded by fiscal year 2028.