[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2051-S2052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Enzi, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. 
        Schumer, and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 704. A bill to provide for duty-free treatment of certain 
recreational performance outerwear, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Finance.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the U.S. Outdoor 
Act. In the Pacific Northwest, spending time in the great outdoors is a 
part of life. Our magnificent mountains, our clear rivers and streams, 
and our majestic forests provide for a quality of life that is, in my 
view, unparalleled. Unfortunately, the outerwear that enables us to 
enjoy these wonderful treasures is more expensive than it needs to be. 
This is because under current law, the United States imposes steep 
tariffs on outdoor performance outerwear like jackets and pants used 
for skiing and snowboarding, mountaineering, hunting, fishing and 
dozens of other outdoor activities.
  These high tariffs--and let us call them what they are, taxes--were 
originally implemented to promote an import substitution policy. They 
were imposed to discourage American consumers from buying outerwear 
that was manufactured overseas, even if those were superior products. 
Today, there is no domestic outerwear industry to really protect with 
these tariffs, yet consumers are still paying through the teeth for 
products like snow pants and rain jackets. These tariffs are hammering 
the pocketbooks of millions of American consumers, and they harm the 
businesses that are engaged in promoting enjoyment of the great 
outdoors.
  But we can fix this in a way that helps American producers better 
compete globally in an environmentally sustainable manner, and relieves 
consumers of artificially high costs. But it is more than just reducing 
costs and promoting innovation.
  To me, the Outdoor Act is also about encouraging our kids and members 
of our community to get outside, to be active, and to appreciate and 
protect our natural treasures. I want to associate myself with the 
efforts of the First Lady, Michelle Obama, who is leading an important 
initiative to get people--especially kids--moving and eating healthier. 
I see the Outdoor Act, which makes getting outside to hike, bike, or 
fish more affordable as complementary of the First Lady's efforts.
  I am proud that this legislation enjoys support from both sides of 
the political aisle and especially pleased that my friend, Senator 
Crapo from Idaho, is helping to lead the charge with this initiative. 
Furthermore, I am happy that this legislation is supported by domestic 
textile and apparel companies as well as the performance outerwear 
designers and retailers. This all makes sense given that it will spur 
outdoor recreation and consumption of goods to support these 
activities. The outdoor recreation industry accounts for $730 billion 
dollars and 65 million jobs across the United States, with 73,000 jobs 
in Oregon. With this bill, we can potentially create even more jobs by 
increasing the purchasing power of consumers of outdoor goods, by 
saving them money on unnecessary tariffs.
  The U.S. OUTDOOR Act eliminates the import duty for qualifying 
recreational performance outerwear, bringing duties that can be as high 
as 28 percent down to zero. It also establishes the Sustainable Textile 
and Apparel Research, STAR, fund, which invests in U.S. technologies 
and jobs that focus on sustainable, environmentally conscious 
manufacturing, helping textile and apparel companies work towards 
minimizing their energy and

[[Page S2052]]

water use, reducing waste and their carbon footprint, and incorporating 
efficiencies that help them better compete globally. I urge my 
colleagues to take a look at this legislation and to work with me to 
move it toward becoming law.
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