Latest news with #NikkiBudzinski
Fibre2Fashion
06-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
American Combat Boot Alliance welcomes introduction of BOOTS Act
The American Combat Boot Alliance (ACBA) recently welcomed introduction of the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTs) Act to ensure that all combat boots supplied to the US military are indigenously made in accordance with the Berry Amendment. The Berry Amendment requires the department of defense to purchase certain items, primarily clothing and food, from domestic sources. 'Over the past several years, there has been a concerning influx of poorly made, non-Berry Amendment-compliant, foreign-sourced footwear procured by United States Army and United States Air Force service members,' ACBA, a coalition comprising US manufacturers committed to the readiness and combat effectiveness of warfighters, said in a letter to Nikki Budzinski from the House of Representatives and Tammy Duckworth from the Senate. The American Combat Boot Alliance has welcomed introduction of the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTs) Act to ensure that all combat boots supplied to the US military are indigenously made in accordance with the Berry Amendment. Over the past several years, there has been a concerning influx of poorly made, non-Berry Amendment-compliant, foreign-sourced footwear procured by US military staff. 'The growing reliance on foreign products has led to the further erosion within the domestic footwear industrial base that supports the warfighter, resulting in over 750,000 pair of non-US manufactured combat boots being sold to Army and Air Force personnel each year,' the letter noted. These inferior products are subject to import tariffs, leaving vendors no choice but to pass the additional costs onto service members. These increased costs may exceed retail prices of domestically manufactured combat footwear, the ACBA letter said. Military service members receive annual Congressionally-appropriated uniform allowances for non-issued uniform items. The BOOTs Act will ensure that they can effectively use their taxpayer-funded uniform allowance to purchase American-made combat footwear, the letter said. This legislation also helps secure the challenged combat footwear supply chain industrial base, diversify the selection of domestic combat boots and ensure that US companies can meet surge demands in times of crisis, it added. ACBA member entities include the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the National Council of Textile Organisations, the US Footwear Manufacturers Association and several other private manufacturers. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bipartisan BOOTs Act, Introduced in Senate, Aims to Boost US Footwear Production
A bipartisan coalition of Congressional leaders has brought forth legislation aimed at boosting onshore footwear production for the armed services. On Wednesday, Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Jarden Golden (D-Me.), along with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Angus King (I-Me.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.) reintroduced the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTs) Act, which proposes that all shoes worn by military personnel should be made in the United States. More from Sourcing Journal Trump Administration Unveils Trucking Reforms Targeting Parking, Red Tape and Cargo Theft EU's Supply Chain Rules Receive 'Another Blow' as Member States Propose Deeper Cuts DHL Express Canada Seeks 'Anti-Scab' Law Exemption, Citing 'Essential' Services According to the lawmakers, a better known piece of legislation—the Berry Amendment—requires the military to prioritize the procurement of American-made goods, but the market for Army footwear has nonetheless been usurped by foreign products that they say skirt standards for safety and quality. The BOOTs Act would address those concerns, mandating that all optional combat boots worn by servicemembers are compliant with the Berry Amendment and made completely in the U.S. from domestically sourced inputs. The legislators believe there are multiple benefits from tightening up the loopholes inherent in the Berry Amendment with this new bill, from bolstering U.S. production and supporting American manufacturers to ensuring the safety and reliability of the gear soldiers wear every day. 'We shouldn't be outsourcing the production of critical military equipment to countries like China—we should be making things here in the United States,' Rep. Budzinski said in a statement. 'Today, I'm introducing the BOOTs Act to ensure that our men and women in uniform have high-quality, American-made footwear that supports the demands of training and deployment.' Budzinski pointed to a business in her own district, the Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Company, as a potential provider of required military footwear and a benefactor of potential new business. The bill would both 'ensure the safety of our military personnel and support good-paying manufacturing jobs here at home,' she added. In an open letter to the bill's authors, U.S. Footwear Manufacturing Association (USFMA) executive director Bill McCann wrote that the BOOTs Act is 'a vital step toward strengthening our national security, safeguarding the health and safety of our warfighters, and preserving American jobs and manufacturing capacity that form the backbone of our defense industrial base.' 'This commonsense change will improve uniform consistency, reduce confusion forservicemembers, and send a strong demand signal' to domestic footwear producers and their onshore suppliers, which manufacture the components that make up performance and combat footwear. 'At a time when many manufacturers are reinvesting and rebuilding domestic capacity, this legislation ensures that the federal government is a reliable and supportive partner,' he added. USFMA is one of more than a dozen members of the American Combat Boot Alliance (ACBA), which lent its support to the bill in a letter signed by the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), Unifi, Rubberlite, Signet Mills, Meramec, New Balance, YKK, Milliken and more. The collective wrote that it represents 'some of the last remaining companies in the United States that can produce the components and combat footwear required by the armed forces'—a goal they remain committed to, as they believe the country is 'dangerously close to losing the most basic capability needed by those who train and fight—the ability to build domestic combat boots that withstand the rigors of austere environments.' According to the ACBA, current uniform regulations for the Army and Air Force don't preclude personnel from purchasing non-compliant products from overseas that only meet appearance standards. Not only are these shoes deficient from a quality and performance perspective, the loss of business from the armed forces has eroded the domestic footwear supply chain, the collective wrote. In fact, 750,000 pairs of foreign-made combat boots are bought by the military each year, representing what ACBA believes is a direct loss for U.S. businesses. These products are also subject to the Trump administration's new tariff regime, which may make them more expensive for servicemembers than American-made products. What's more, personnel pay for these products using an annual Congressionally appropriated funding. 'The BOOTs Act will ensure that servicemembers can effectively use their taxpayer-funded uniform allowance to purchase American-made combat footwear,' ACBA wrote. 'At a time while Congress is focused on both domestic manufacturing and acquisition reform provisions, the BOOTs Act is a strong step forward.' The BOOTs Act was introduced in the Senate on Thursday and was referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services, where it will be reviewed and considered before it has a chance to move to the Senate floor for a vote.
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Triple Helix Releases Report: 'Catalyzing U.S. AgTech Innovation: Opportunities for the Federal Government'
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Triple Helix Institute for Agriculture, Climate, and Society (Triple Helix), a nonprofit dedicated to building cross-sector awareness and engagement around agriculture technology (AgTech), today released its latest report Catalyzing U.S. AgTech Innovation: Opportunities for the Federal Government. The report, presented on Capitol Hill at a briefing supported by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), describes opportunities for federal government action to support AgTech development as a vital component of America's agricultural competitiveness and prosperity. Congresswoman Budzinski stated, 'I'm excited to welcome Triple Helix to Capitol Hill as they lead the charge in advancing AgTech innovation.' Emerging innovations could transform U.S. agricultural productivity and resilience and need to be prioritized now to prepare us for generations to come. Share American dominance in agricultural innovation was historically driven by strong federal investment, in collaboration with research institutions and private sector actors. But decades of declining public sector support threaten U.S. agricultural leadership and national security. Today, both the EU and China significantly outspend the U.S. on agricultural research and development. With compounding challenges such as pests and diseases, extreme weather, and volatile supply chains, efforts to increase American agricultural resilience are critical. Emerging innovations could transform U.S. agricultural productivity and resilience and need to be prioritized now to prepare us for generations to come. Triple Helix's report is the culmination of an initiative to identify key inflection points in the U.S. AgTech pipeline where strategic federal support could drive growth. Through roundtable discussions held in New York, Illinois, California, and North Carolina, the organization gathered perspectives from academic researchers, startup founders, investors, commodity group representatives, farmers, and agribusiness leaders, among others. Stakeholders emphasized the federal government's crucial role across the U.S. AgTech ecosystem and stressed the need to close public sector support gaps in three key areas: Prioritizing proactive discovery-stage research and data accessibility Facilitating entrepreneurial translation and scale-up Building an efficient AgTech implementation ecosystem 'This report outlines actionable opportunities for the federal government to strengthen the U.S. AgTech innovation ecosystem,' said Dr. Sarah Garland, Founder and Executive Director of Triple Helix. 'Catalyzing the American AgTech sector requires effective collaboration across research, investment, and policy. Reestablishing and optimizing federal government leadership in this space is crucial.' 'I represent some of the best agricultural research institutions in Central and Southern Illinois and I've consistently fought for increased federal investment in the groundbreaking work our scientists do every day. Their research is essential to strengthening American agriculture, lowering food costs, improving nutrition, and supporting the farmers who power our economy. As Triple Helix highlights, staying at the top of agricultural technology is key to maintaining our global leadership in this vital sector," added Congresswoman Budzinski. To access the full report, please visit: About Triple Helix Triple Helix Institute for Agriculture, Climate, and Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building cross-sector awareness and engagement around agriculture technology (AgTech). Led by scientists and rooted in evidence, Triple Helix presents an interdisciplinary and nuanced voice that is crucial for creating a more resilient future of agriculture. In a space often fraught with polarization and factions, Triple Helix emphasizes unity behind common goals and commitment to shared values. Triple Helix recently produced reports targeted at policymakers and investors on the topics AgTech for Biodiversity Conservation and AgTech for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. These reports succinctly connect the dots between ambitious agricultural goals and various food and agriculture technologies that can help achieve them.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Springfield representative listed in notes of Minnesota shooter, she said
A congresswoman from Illinois was listed in notes belonging to the man accused of murdering a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, the congresswoman said. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski wrote on the social media platform X that Capitol Police informed her that her name was included on the murder suspect's notes. Budzinski offered condolences to the family of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were both killed after Vance Luther Boelter, 57, allegedly entered their home, a federal affidavit said. Prior to that killing, Boelter allegedly went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman, shooting him and his wife, Yvette, disguised as a law enforcement officer and wearing a silicone mask covering his head and face, prosecutors said, which was early on June 14. The two underwent surgery and were expected to recover, USA Today reported. Budzinski in the post lastly decried political violence. "As I've said before, there is absolutely no place in this country for political violence. We must be a nation that values civility and mutual respect - always," she wrote. Drew Evans, who is the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent, said officials from Illinois were listed, as well as officials in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska. This "Manifesto" listing other potential targets, according to the St. Cloud Times, was found when authorities searched a vehicle left behind by Boelter. Boelter was arrested on the night of June 15 after an intense manhunt and faces both state and federal murder charges, including multiple counts of murder and stalking. More: 11 Wisconsin lawmakers named in manifesto of Minnesota gunman Authorities recovered more than 600 names, but "very few" Illinoisans were listed, Gov. JB Pritzker said at a news conference. Pritzker received a call from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz following the shooting, letting him know what had happened, Pritzker said. Pritzker was reportedly the keynote speaker at a dinner in Minneapolis on June 13. Pritzker is in communication with Illinois State Police among others in monitoring the situation, he wrote in a statement. The Illinois State Police issued the following statement to the SJ-R regarding Illinois lawmakers being a potential target: "The Illinois State Police (ISP) takes all threats to elected and public officials very seriously. ISP has communicated with House and Senate leaders about security steps legislators can take, as well as provided ISP contact information should a legislator need additional/specific security recommendations based on their specific situation or environment. The suspect in the shootings in Minnesota is in custody. The incident appears to be the work of that single individual and there are no broader threats at this time. ISP is vetting information found among the suspect's property and provided to ISP by Minnesota and federal law enforcement agencies, as it relates to Illinois elected officials, potentially in both paper and electronic form. ISP will continue to communicate with Illinois legislators as additional information is available and assessed." Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@ This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: US Rep. Budzinski was listed in notes belonging to Minnesota shooter, she said
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski named in Minnesota shooting suspect's notes
U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Illinois) said Tuesday her name was included on an alleged target list kept by the man now charged with killing a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and shooting another state lawmaker and his wife. In a series of posts on X, Budzinski said she was informed by U.S. Capitol police on Sunday that "my name was included in the Minnesota murder suspect's notes." "I want to again send my condolences to the family of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. I will continue to keep them as well as State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in my prayers. My deepest sympathies go out to their families, friends, and the entire Minnesota community," she wrote. "As I've said before, there is absolutely no place in this country for political violence. We must be a nation that values civility and mutual respect – always." Vance Boelter, 57, now faces both state and federal charges in connection with the attacks. Prosecutors have said he shot and wounded Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and then stopped by two more lawmakers' homes before killing Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin and U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, Hillary Scholten, Haley Stevens and Shri Thanedar of Michigan confirmed to CBS News Detroit that they were mentioned in Boelter's notes. A source familiar with the situation confirmed that Rep. Rashida Tlaib was also named. "All of us, every single one of us has to help dial down the rhetoric. We are normalizing violence," Dingell said. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was in Minnesota on Friday for an event. He said his name was not found on Boelter's list.
