Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today introduced the FORKS Made in America Act to strengthen American Manufacturing by requiring domestic production of stainless-steel flatware for the Department of Defense, solidifying its place within the Berry Amendment.
Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) was an original co-sponsor of this legislation.
The Berry Amendment, enacted during World War II, is a federal provision that requires the Department of Defense to exclusively purchase certain produced goods domestically, provided they can be acquired in the necessary quantity and at a fair market price. The FORKS Made in America Act adds stainless steel flatware to the list of items covered by the Berry Amendment, helping support our domestic stainless steel flatware industry.
Tenney has led the charge on adding stainless steel flatware to the Berry Amendment since her first term in 2017. In 2017, Tenney introduced the SPOONSS Act to add stainless steel flatware to the Berry Amendment. Tenney’s bill was included in the FY20 NDAA; however, it included a sunset provision at the end of Fiscal Year 2023. Now, Tenney’s FORKS Made in America Act will make this provision permanent.
“By permanently adding stainless steel flatware to the Berry Amendment, we are supporting domestic manufacturing and ensuring our servicemembers have the highest quality flatware available,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The FORKS Made in America Act will not only uphold these tenants, but it will also create jobs and stimulate our economy in Central New York. I have, and always will, fight tenaciously to protect our domestic manufacturing base and support our regional economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get the FORKS Made in America Act passed into law.”
“Together, we are standing up to the Chinese Communist Party. Repatriating manufacturing and reindustrializing Central New York are critical for our community and our national security,” said Congressman Williams. “This bill accomplishes that mission, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting the last and only domestic manufacturer of stainless-steel flatware, Sherrill Manufacturing. I’m proud to help any manufacturer in New York’s 22nd District to succeed, grow, and attract talent that benefits families across Central New York.”
