Congressman Pat Harrigan Co-Leads Legislation to Keep Chinese Fibers Out of American Body Armor

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) joined Congressman Clay Higgins (LA-03) and Congresswoman Sheri Biggs (SC-3) in co-leading the Ballistic Armor Made in America Act of 2026, legislation requiring body armor manufacturers to disclose the country of origin of the ballistic fibers used in their products, and prohibiting the use of federal dollars to purchase body armor containing non-American fibers.

"Law enforcement officers are buying body armor they believe is made in America, and in too many cases, they are wrong. Chinese fibers are being woven into these products, stamped with a Made in America label, and sold to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day. That is a national security risk, and a betrayal of the people protecting this country. This bill ends it. Full transparency on where these fibers come from, and not a single federal dollar going to armor that does not meet the standard," said Congressman Pat Harrigan.

"Federal law enforcement should wear ballistic armor made in America, not China. This is a national security issue, as well as a matter of integrity in government procurement. As chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, I will continue to stand with the Thin Blue Line," said Congressman Clay Higgins.

"I am proud to join Congressman Higgins and Congressman Harrigan on this important effort to make sure the armor protecting our law enforcement officers is American-made. The men and women who put their lives on the line every day deserve gear they can trust. This bill closes a dangerous loophole, strengthens our supply chain, and keeps taxpayer dollars from supporting foreign adversaries like China," said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs.

The legislation requires companies submitting ballistic-resistant body armor to the National Institutes of Justice to disclose the country of origin of the fibers used in their products, with those disclosures published publicly on the NIJ Compliant Products List. Any body armor containing non-American fibers is prohibited from being marketed or labeled as Made in America. The bill also prohibits agencies at every level from using federal dollars to procure body armor containing foreign fibers, with narrow exceptions mirroring those already in place at the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Additionally, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers are directed to provide training to all agencies receiving federal funding for body armor purchases, to ensure they understand the new disclosure requirements and can make fully informed procurement decisions.

The Ballistic Armor Made in America Act will now be referred to the relevant committees for consideration. Congressman Harrigan will continue working to ensure that the men and women protecting this country are protected by gear that is genuinely built here.