Ballistic Armor Made in America Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8656
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27T10:57:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Ballistic Armor Made in America Act of 2026 (H.R. 8656)
Purpose
This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to purchase ballistic-resistant body armor—protective gear for law enforcement that guards against bullets, stabs, fragments, and impacts—only if it is made using ballistic fibers (key materials like those in bulletproof vests) produced entirely in the United States. It promotes domestic manufacturing by mandating transparency about material sources.
Key Provisions
- Disclosure Requirements (effective 60 days after enactment):
- Manufacturers submitting armor to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Compliance Testing Program must reveal countries where the armor is made and where its ballistic fibers are grown, processed, reused, recycled, or produced.
- NIJ must publish this information on its public "Compliant Products List" (90 days after enactment) and update it within 30 days for new certifications.
- Armor with foreign-sourced fibers cannot use "Made in America" labels.
- NIJ evaluates if rules apply to new materials replacing traditional fibers.
- Procurement Ban (adds new Section 509C to U.S. Code Title 28):
- DOJ cannot spend funds on armor containing non-U.S. ballistic fibers.
- Exceptions: Allowed if U.S.-made options are unavailable at market prices when needed, or if fibers comply with the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. § 4862, requiring domestic textiles for military) or Kissel Amendment (6 U.S.C. § 453b, similar for certain recovery funds).
- Training Program:
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) must train state/local governments receiving DOJ grants for armor purchases on the new disclosure rules.
- Definitions:
- Ballistic-resistant body armor: Gear with hard (rigid) or soft (flexible) components protecting against various threats.
- Compliant Products List: NIJ's official online list of certified armor.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Inserts new §509C into 28 U.S.C. Chapter 31 (DOJ organization), creating a strict domestic sourcing rule for DOJ armor purchases—previously no such fiber-specific requirement existed.
- Updates NIJ's testing and listing processes to include mandatory country-of-origin disclosures.
- Aligns with existing "Buy American" laws (e.g., Berry and Kissel Amendments) but applies specifically to DOJ civilian law enforcement gear.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DOJ and NIJ face new administrative duties (disclosures, list updates); procurement may shift to U.S. suppliers, potentially raising costs short-term but with exceptions to avoid delays.
- Citizens/Law Enforcement: Ensures federally funded armor uses U.S. materials, possibly improving supply chain reliability; state/local agencies get training for grant compliance.
- International Relations: Reduces U.S. dependence on foreign ballistic fibers (e.g., from countries like China), favoring domestic production without broad trade restrictions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DOJ Components: NIJ (testing/disclosures), FLETC (training), Attorney General (procurement oversight).
- Manufacturers: U.S. ballistic fiber and armor producers gain advantage; foreign-sourced suppliers lose DOJ market access.
- Law Enforcement: Federal, state, and local agencies buying DOJ-funded or certified armor.
- Grant Recipients: State/local governments using DOJ grants for equipment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal procurement rules under Title 28 without overriding contracts; exceptions prevent challenges under commerce clause or due process (ensuring availability).
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's spending power to favor domestic goods, consistent with Buy American precedents.
- Political: Advances "Made in America" priorities by protecting U.S. jobs in defense textiles; no partisan mandates, but enforces transparency to prevent mislabeling.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-05-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ballistic Armor Made in America Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-04 — PDF (6 pages)