WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 17, 2026) — The Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition (WPRC) today applauded the formation of the first-ever congressional Berry Amendment Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan caucus, spearheaded by co-chairs Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10) and Don Davis (NC-01), has foundational goals of strengthening domestic defense manufacturing, supporting American jobs, and ensuring U.S. warfighters are equipped with the highest-quality, 100% American- made uniforms, body armor, load-bearing equipment, ballistic helmets, textiles and related equipment.

Founding members of the caucus include Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), David Rouzer (NC-07), Tim Moore (NC-14), John Carter (TX-31), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), and Brian Mast (FL-21).

The Berry Amendment, first enacted in 1941, requires the Department of War to procure certain mission-critical items, including textiles, clothing, footwear, body armor, tents, and food, from domestic sources. The law helps ensure the United States maintains secure supply chains for essential military items while sustaining the domestic industrial base that supports the warfighter.

The Berry Amendment Caucus will serve as a bipartisan forum focused on strengthening national security and preserving American manufacturing. The caucus will highlight the importance of domestic industrial capacity in critical sectors such as textiles, uniforms,armor and specialty materials; support factories and workers who manufacture Berry-compliant goods; educate Members of Congress on the full scope of products coveredunder the law; and support consistent enforcement and modernization of Berry requirements to meet evolving warfighter needs.

“The formation of the Berry Amendment Caucus marks an important step in sustaining and growing the domestic industrial base that equips the American warfighter,” said David Costello, Executive Director of the WPRC. “For decades, the Berry Amendment has ensured that our servicemembers have a secure supply chain for critical equipage and are never dependent on foreign supply chains for mission-essential gear. In war and in peace, the Berry Amendment guarantees that the United States is always capable of manufacturing the full spectrum of products needed to keep our troops combat ready. Our association is deeply appreciative of the leadership demonstrated by Reps. Harrigan and Davis in founding this new caucus.”

“You cannot be the strongest military in the world while depending on foreign supply chains for mission-critical gear. The Berry Amendment protects our warfighters, protects American manufacturing, and protects our national security. As co-chair of this caucus, I am doubling down on a simple principle: the equipment that defends the United States should be made in the United States,” said Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10).

“As North Carolina invests in a stronger future for our textile industry, we must strengthen the Berry Amendment, guaranteeing that every thread of the defense supply chain is American-made. Protecting local jobs, backing our manufacturers, and providing our military with the dependable, high-quality materials it deserves is vital,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01).

With the establishment of the Berry Amendment Caucus, members of Congress will have a platform to highlight Berry-compliant manufacturing in their districts, support policies that strengthen domestic supply chains, and reinforce America’s ability to equip the world’s most capable military.

About WPRC

WPRC is the unified voice of advocacy for the individual and unit level equipment needs of the warfighter and peacekeeper. The leading tactical equipment, apparel, materials, and technology companies of the WPRC are committed to ensuring that American service members and Homeland Security personnel are provided with superior products built by a robust industrial base, now and in the future. For a complete listing of WPRC member companies, please visit www.warriorprotection.net.

MARBLEHEAD, MA (March 14, 2024) This past week, the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC) hosted its 15th annual Legislative Summit in Washington D.C., bringing together 100 industry leaders of the domestic manufacturing companies who support the uniform and equipment needs of the warfighter. During this event, the WPRC announced that Senator John Boozman and U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-1) have been awarded the 2024 WPRC Sentinel Award. This accolade is in recognition of their outstanding legislative work to bolster the U.S. domestic defense industrial base, which plays a crucial role in supporting U.S. servicemembers and homeland security personnel. The Sentinel Award is annually bestowed upon members of Congress who have made significant efforts to ensure the Federal government has access to high-quality, American-made helmets, body armor, uniforms, footwear, and equipment, securing the best value for taxpayers.

“Through their committee leadership, Senator Boozman and Congressman Donald Norcross have demonstrated their unwavering support for the safety and combat effectiveness of American servicemembers,” said David Costello, Executive Director of the WPRC.  “Ensuring the strength and vitality of the Berry Amendment-compliant defense industrial base secures the domestic supply chain needed to provide the most effective protective clothing and equipment for warfighters and peacekeepers both at home and abroad. The WPRC is honored to recognize both Senator Boozman’s and Congressman Norcross’ commitment to this enduring effort.”

The 2024 Legislative Summit included a speaking program including U.S. Army Brigadier General Landis Maddox, Commander, DLA Troop Support; U.S.Army Colonel Tony Lindh, Project Manager, Soldier Survivability, Program Executive Office – Soldier; and representatives from the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) who recently conducted a wargame scenario designed to better prepare and strengthen the clothing and textile industrial base. This was an opportunity for WPRC members to hear directly from Department of Defense (DoD) and executive leadership regarding the Administration’s domestic defense industrial base priorities. The WPRC continues to lead advocacy initiatives on Capitol Hill to ensure U.S. service members and Department of Homeland Security operational agencies are equipped appropriately to carry out their mission safely, with American-made gear and equipment.

This year’s WPRC legislative objectives include ongoing support for the U.S. Army’s Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP), support for Congress to require the annual update of the U.S. Army’s Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI), and an effort to encourage Congressional support for a Defense Production Act Title III Presidential Determination for the warfighter clothing, textiles, and equipment industrial base.

About the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition and the Sentinel Award:

The WPRC Sentinel Award is the highest honor given by the coalition, awarded annually to lawmakers who have shown exceptional support for the American industry that produces advanced combat uniforms, footwear and equipment for the Armed Services and Department of Homeland Security. WPRC member companies strive every day to provide innovative, advanced solutions to ensure that our armed forces are prepared for any encounter, anywhere in the world.

Sentinel award recipient Senator John Boozman serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee. Additionally, Senator Boozman serves on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission. Congressman Donald Norcross was selected by his peers to be Ranking Member for the House Armed Services Committee’s Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee and serves on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-1) accepts the 2024 Sentinel Award presented by WPRC Board Chairman Justin Mayer, Secretary Amy Coyne, and Executive Director David Costello

U.S. Senator John Boozman (AR) accepts the 2024 Sentinel Award presented by WPRC Board Member Markin Dornan (L) and Executive Director David Costello (R)

WPRC Sentinel award recipient, U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-1) addresses WPRC members

United States Army Colonel Tony Lindh, Project Manager, Soldier Survivability, Program Executive Office Soldier, addresses WPRC members

United States Army Brigadier General Landis Maddox, Commander, DLA Troop Support, addresses WPRC members

MARBLEHEAD, MA (April 12th, 2022) The Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC) announced that Senator Gary Peters (MI), and Congressman Michael Waltz (FL-06), have been awarded the 2022 WPRC Sentinel Award for their legislative leadership on behalf of the domestic defense industrial base that supports U.S. servicemembers and homeland security personnel. The Sentinel Award is presented annually to Members of Congress who have demonstrated enduring leadership to ensure high quality, American-made personal protective gear, uniforms, ballistic armor, footwear and equipment are available to the Federal government at the best value to the taxpayer.

“The past two years have clearly demonstrated the critical importance of supporting American manufacturing and completely domestic supply chains for products essential to the national security of the United States,” said Justin Mayer, Chairman of the WPRC. “Our annual Legislative Summit allows our member companies to come together to advocate for thoughtful policies that support our nation’s ability to manufacturer PPE, camouflage and dress uniforms, footwear, ballistic armor, helmets and equipage. We are delighted to recognize Senator Peters and Congressman Waltz with our 2022 Sentinel Award and the WPRC will continue to press forward to ensure that the United States maintains the domestic capability to properly equip those who serve our country.”

The Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition’s Sentinel Award is the association’s highest honor, presented annually to policymakers who have demonstrated extraordinary support for the American industry that manufactures advanced combat clothing, equipment and PPE for the Armed Services and Department of Homeland Security. Sentinel Award recipients are recognized as the leading advocates for American warfighters and peacekeepers, as it remains critically important to provide those who serve our country with domestically manufactured products that provide our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Guardians and Homeland Security personnel with an insurmountable conflict and training advantage.

WPRC member companies strive every day to provide innovative, advanced solutions to ensure that our armed forces are prepared for any encounter, anywhere in the world. Senator Gary Peters is the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security and is the Senate’s top oversight committee. He also serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Congressman Michael “Mike” Waltz represents the 6th District of Florida and serves as the Ranking Member on the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness.

The Sentinel Award presentation took place during the 2022 WPRC Legislative Summit, conducted on Capitol Hill in the Rayburn House Office Building. Over 80 association members met for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began, to advocate for best-in-class, American-made equipment, textiles and uniforms for U.S. service members, frontline medical responders, and the operational agencies within the Department of Homeland Security.

The Legislative Summit included a speaking program, allowing WPRC members to hear remarks from U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Arthur J. Pasagian, Commander Marine Corps Systems Command; U.S. Army Major General Anthony (Tony) Potts Program Executive Officer, Program Executive Office Soldier; Brigadier General Eric Shirley, U.S. Army Commander, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support and Ms. Celeste Drake, Made in America Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. This was an opportunity for the WPRC to hear directly from Department of Defense (DoD) and Executive Leadership regarding the Administration’s domestic defense industrial base priorities.

U.S. Representative Michael Waltz accepted the 2022 Sentinel Award presented by WPRC Executive Director David Costello.

WPRC Leadership stand alongside vital DoD leadership. (From left to right: WPRC Executive Director David Costello, U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Arthur J. Pasagian, U.S. Army Major General Anthony (Tony) Potts, Brigadier General Eric Shirley, U.S. Army Commander and WPRC Board of Directors Chairman Justin Mayer.)

Celeste Drake, Made in America Director, OMB speaks to WPRC members.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) was presented the 2022 Sentinel Award in the Hart Senate Office Building by WPRC Board of Directors Chairman Justin Mayer, along with WPRC Board Members Amy Coyne, Kevin Hickey, Markin Dornan and Executive Director David Costello