LITTLETON, N.H. – This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) toured and met with workers at Genfoot, a small footwear manufacturing business in Littleton.  During the tour, Kuster announced her recent action to protect jobs at Genfoot and other U.S. footwear manufacturing companies.

Genfoot is one of only a handful of footwear companies left that manufactures rubber and plastic footwear in the United States. Genfoot employs approximately 100 workers in Littleton, but recently these jobs have been threatened by legislation that would provide an unfair advantage to foreign companies whose products compete with American-made goods like those made at Genfoot. Kuster filed a formal objection to this legislation on behalf of Genfoot and its employees.

“Genfoot is an American success story – a small, New Hampshire business that produces goods right here at home. We must ensure Congress does not inadvertently help their foreign competition, which could threaten these great Granite State manufacturing jobs,” said Rep. Annie Kuster. “I am proud to work against any such proposals in Congress on behalf of Genfoot, and I was so pleased to get a chance to tour the factory and hear from employees firsthand about other actions Congress can take to support their success,” said Congresswoman Kuster.

“We’re very appreciative that Congresswoman Kuster took the time to tour Kamik Outdoor Footwear/Genfoot and meet with our employees today,” said Norman Cook, Executive Vice President. “We thank Congresswoman Kuster for listening to our concerns, and for working on our behalf to protect the tariffs that are so important to our workers and business here in Littleton.”

Last year, Congressional leaders introduced a “Miscellaneous Tariff Bill,” which proposes to lower tariffs on a wide range of imported goods.  While intended to benefit American companies and workers, this legislation contains a problematic provision that would lower tariffs on foreign-made footwear that competes with Genfoot’s products.  Congresswoman Kuster filed her formal objection on behalf of Genfoot and its employees earlier this year, and she is continuously working to prevent this provision’s enactment into law.

Kuster’s visit to Genfoot was part of her ongoing “Congress at Your Company” series.  Since taking office, Kuster has visited more than three dozen New Hampshire businesses to receive input on how Congress can best support their success. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Kuster has prioritized efforts to foster job creation and support New Hampshire’s manufacturing industry. She wrote a Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Agenda, a blueprint that outlines common sense steps to help create jobs in New Hampshire and around the country. She has also supported a series of “Make It In America” proposals focused on reshoring jobs and reviving the U.S. manufacturing economy, and she has fought to establish a Manufacturing Innovation Institute in New Hampshire.

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