Bedecked in red, white and blue, the U.S. Olympic Team is always dressed to impress, but some lawmakers think it would be better if the American athletes' opening and closing ceremony uniforms were made in the USA.
The team will sport berets, blazers and pants by American designer Ralph Lauren—but the garments were manufactured in China.
Both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress argued the U.S. Olympic Committee’s decision to dress the team in Chinese-manufactured items was wrong when so many U.S. workers need jobs.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters at a news conference that the Olympic committee "should be ashamed of themselves."
“I think they should be embarrassed," The Washington Post quoted Reid as saying. "I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again."
In a statement, the Olympic committee defended the partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company, and reminded lawmakers that the team is privately funded and relies on the support of sponsors.
United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun responded to the uproar, saying in a statement that the 2014 winter games' uniforms will be made in the United States.
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