Affordable Footwear Act Introduced in House
A group of 29 House lawmakers introduced a new Affordable Footwear Act April 24, proposing to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reduce or eliminate duties on various kinds of shoes.
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The Act "will remove a burdensome and unnecessary tax on a variety of footwear, lowering the price of children’s, outdoor, and performance footwear products for all consumers,” said bill sponsor Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kans., in a statement. “By eliminating an outdated tariff on certain shoe types that no longer have a domestic manufacturer, this bill will make it easier for middle class families to afford a product they really need.” Jenkins introduced a similar bill in 2011 -- also accompanied by a Senate version -- but it never made it out of committee (see 11080411).
The bill already garnered support from some industry groups. "For all too long, American consumers have been hit with the hidden shoe tax,” said Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America Chairman Blake Kruger in a statement (here). “Worse, this tax is regressive, hitting working class families and children the hardest on a product everyone must purchase.” If passed, the Act would eliminate about $800 million in duties on lower-priced children's footwear, outdoor shoes and some athletic, according to FDRA. The association also said the bill has “wide bipartisan support,” including on the House Ways and Means Committee. Jenkins is a member of that committee. American Apparel and Footwear Association President Kevin Burke called the bill a "win-win" for the U.S. footwear industry and U.S. consumers (read his statement here).
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the bill, HR-1708.