On the recordApril 28, 2010
I appreciate that. I also tentatively support the amendment--certainly, the spirit of the Berry amendment--as well. But, as drafted, the GAO study, I think, will be very difficult to implement. Servicemembers are not required to keep records of the items that they purchase with their clothing allowance; nor are they required to set aside these dollars in a teacup to purchase uniforms only. So the GAO may not be able to determine what servicemembers bought with their clothing allowance, let alone whether those items were produced domestically. If the sponsor will allow us to revise the amendment in conference to specifically evaluate the sufficiency of the domestic supply of military uniforms, then I can certainly support that. But I support it with some reservations that the study as drafted specifically under this rule would be less than optimal. And if the sponsor would allow us to work on it in conference, I would support it.
