SKOWHEGAN, Maine – A bill in Congress would require the Department of Defense to provide U.S.-made footwear to personnel. The Stepping Up for American Workers and Troops Act is sponsored by Maine Reps. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, and Bruce Poliquin, a Republican, and Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas, of Massachusetts.

The proposal comes after one manufacturer, New Balance Athletic Shoe Co., criticized the Obama administration for encouraging it to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership in exchange for military purchases of sneakers that never came to pass.

The defense department agreed to close the footwear loophole in a 2014 amendment. But it hasn’t started buying U.S.-made shoes, saying available footwear doesn’t meet military standards.

Several companies – including Boston-based New Balance, with factories in Skowhegan, Norridgewock and Norway, Maine – manufacture shoes in the U.S.

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