Gottheimer introduces bipartisan bill to require American-made products in national parks

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Monday announced new bipartisan legislation that would require all products sold in National Park Service visitor centers and gift shops to be American-made, citing the need to support U.S. manufacturers and protect domestic supply chains.

Speaking at Morristown National Historical Park’s Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, Gottheimer unveiled the American Products in Parks Act, which would mandate that items sold in national park shops be manufactured, assembled and sourced almost entirely within the United States.

“I’m announcing new bipartisan legislation that says plainly: if it’s sold in our national parks and visitors centers, it’s got to be made in America,” Gottheimer said. “Families who visit our parks, and feel the love of our country that so many of us share, should not have that feeling shattered when they turn over a gift and see ‘made in China’ instead of ‘made in America.’ This bill is about ensuring they don’t have to. It’s not only the patriotic thing to do, but it’s good for our economy — our families and their jobs, our manufacturers and our communities. George Washington would want it that way.”

Gottheimer said more than 60% of items currently sold in national park gift shops are made partially or entirely overseas, including American flags, apparel, snow globes, calendars, maps and even artwork depicting the parks themselves.

Under the bill, a product could only be sold in National Park Service facilities if its final assembly takes place in the U.S., all significant processing occurs domestically and “all or virtually all” components are sourced from American suppliers.

Gottheimer also announced he is writing to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration urging them to work with the National Park Service on a supply chain analysis to identify more American-made products suitable for sale in park shops.

He was joined Monday by New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) CEO Peter Connolly, NJMEP’s Judith Fleischer, and Unionwear President Mitch Cahn, whose Newark-based company manufactures U.S.-made apparel and promotional items.

American manufacturers could see significant benefits from the proposal. The National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million visitors in 2024, generating $29 billion in spending in parks and surrounding communities.