Bipartisan Bill Would Override California Made in USA Labeling Law
The Reinforcing American-Made Products Act, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent in 2021, has been reintroduced by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats.
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“The Reinforcing American-Made Products Act would ensure that a ‘Made in the USA’ label is a simple, straightforward way to help consumers make informed decisions about the products they intend to buy," King said in a Sept. 27 news release.
Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, introduced an identical bill in the House Sept. 19.
The sponsors said the Federal Trade Commission's labeling standard is "virtually all," but California's law says if any part of a good was made outside the U.S., it cannot be labeled as Made in the USA.
The bill would amend federal statute to say at the end that the FTC standard “shall supersede any provisions of law of any State expressly relating to the extent to which a product is introduced, delivered for introduction, sold, advertised, or offered for sale in interstate or foreign commerce with a ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ or ‘Made in America’ label, or the equivalent thereof, in order to represent that such product was in whole or substantial part of domestic origin."
The bill also adds language ensuring that states may enforce the federal standard, according to Lee's office.