Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening American manufacturing and ensuring U.S. servicemembers are equipped with domestically produced stainless steel flatware.
The FORKS Made in America Permanency Act, unveiled this week, would permanently add stainless steel flatware and dinnerware to the Berry Amendment — a federal policy that requires the Department of Defense to buy certain products exclusively from American manufacturers when available in sufficient quantities and at reasonable prices.
Tenney has advocated for this change since her first term in Congress, first introducing the SPOONSS Act in 2017. Her efforts led to a temporary inclusion of stainless steel flatware in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but that provision is currently set to expire on January 1, 2029.
Her new bill would remove that expiration date, making the flatware requirement a permanent part of defense procurement law.
“Permanently adding stainless steel flatware and dinnerware to the Berry Amendment is a win for American manufacturing and our servicemembers,” said Tenney. “The FORKS Made in America Permanency Act will help ensure our troops are using top-quality products made right here at home, while creating good-paying jobs and driving economic growth in Central New York.”
The proposal is expected to gain support among lawmakers focused on boosting domestic industry and military readiness.
