Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley has sponsored legislation to require the federal government to only buy flags that are 100% made in America. The Democrat from Waterloo says he is also “very concerned” about the U.S. Olympic uniforms being made in China, and has signed on to letter asking the U.S. Olympic Committee in the future to use only uniforms made by U.S. manufacturers.
“We have manufacturers of clothing apparel for sports that are made in my hometown of Waterloo, Iowa at Powers Manufacturing. So there is absolutely not reason we should be outsourcing those uniforms, where our nation’s pride is walking in the Olympic ceremony ceremonies wearing athletic uniforms and warmups made in a foreign country,” according to Braley.
The congressman says flags and Olympic uniforms are the only examples of this problem. “I was appalled when the Census Bureau sent out promotional materials and promotional advertising materials, all of which were made in China. I thought it was absurd that when we are doing something as important as counting our nation’s population, we’re promoting that with goods made in China.
Braley made his comments during a conference call with reporters and was asked if legislators really should have any say in the uniform issue as it is business decision. “I think it is absolutely appropriate for Congress to get involved when U.S. flags draping U.S. servicemembers who are killed overseas could possibly be made with material from a foreign country. I think that should be an affront to every American,” Braley said.
“When we send our athletes to compete in foreign competitions every four years, I think it’s important that they be dressed in outfits made by American workers.” The legislation Braley signed regarding the Olympic uniforms was also signed by his fellow Democrat Iowa Congressmen, Dave Loebsack and Leonard Boswell.
See the letter here: USOC Letter PDF