Ayotte Tours Timberland, Discusses U.S. OUTDOOR Act & Trade Legislation

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte recently visited Timberland's brand headquarters in Stratham, where she discussed the US OUTDOOR Act, legislation to bolster New Hampshire's outdoor industry, and her support for bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, which was signed into law on Monday.

"I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Timberland employees and discuss the bipartisan US OUTDOOR Act and my support for trade legislation," said Senator Ayotte. "I will continue my legislative efforts to boost New Hampshire's outdoor economy and support common sense policies that allow Granite State businesses to grow and create jobs."

TPA expired in 2007 and has not been renewed since. TPA is a tool that would improve U.S. negotiating power when it comes to trade deals, increase transparency, and protect and elevate Congress' role in the trade negotiation process. Without TPA, any administration can negotiate a trade agreement on their own terms without clear direction from Congress. The TPA legislation was recently approved by Congress and signed into law this week.

The U.S. OUTDOOR Act seeks to eliminate or lower outdated tariffs on recreational outerwear -- making outdoor apparel such as water-resistant jackets and pants more affordable for consumers and helping outerwear retailers to create jobs, import goods, and invest in research and development of new cutting-edge performance apparel. New Hampshire's outdoor recreation industry generates $4.2 billion in consumer spending each year. The act would also create a Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research (STAR) Fund to increase research and development of sustainable technology for the U.S. textile and apparel industry.

The U.S. OUTDOOR Act is also cosponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jeanne Shaheen, (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). It is supported by American Apparel & Footwear Association, Eastern Mountain Sports, Kamik Boots, NEMO Equipment, New Balance and the Outdoor Industry Association.

Timberland currently employs 435 people in New Hampshire, hiring 22 alone in 2014. The company was founded in 1952 and moved to New Hampshire in 1969.

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