Paris Summer Games kick-off with an American-made flair among athletes

President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, Scott Paul, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the American-made clothing on display at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Paul also discussed the problem with some of the American flags being waved and flown by U.S. federal offices and the recently proposed Steel Modernization Act.

All eyes were on the 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, but there were a few pieces of note, like the outfits worn by the American athletes. Paul discussed the Ralph Lauren-designed uniforms, which used materials sourced in Colorado and manufactured in New York by Ferrara Manufacturing, a family-owned, union-represented clothing company. He discussed the excitement around the USA-made, union-made uniforms and gave a preview of the uniforms that will be worn in the Closing Ceremony, also designed by Ralph Lauren and manufactured by Ferrara Manufacturing.

However, during the Opening Ceremony, many of the USA flags waved by Olympic athletes were manufactured elsewhere. Paul discussed the loopholes in legislation that allowed flags with 50 percent of the production to be done outside of America and still flown and purchased by federal offices. He talked about the bipartisan All-American Flag Act, passed by both the Senate and House, and introduced by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, that would require all flags to be made and produced in the United States.

Finally, Paul talked about U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and his plan to introduce the Steel Modernization Act. Paul talked about Khanna’s proposal to build new facilities that would have near-zero carbon emissions and strengthen the American supply chain. According to Paul, the goal of Khanna’s proposal is to revitalize a U.S. steel industry that has dwindled over the past 30 years. Paul said he’s excited about the potential good union jobs these facilities could bring to America. He added that he believes there is the potential for a job boom if Khanna’s bill passes.

Listen to the show above to hear more from Paul.