WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and John Cornyn, along with Mark Warner, Todd Young, Angus King, and James Lankford, introduced the bipartisan Critical Minerals Security Act to help secure U.S. critical mineral supply chains and counter China’s dominance in the industry.
“The U.S. can’t lead the world in AI, quantum computing, and clean energy with China holding all the cards,” said Hickenlooper. “We can secure our future by working hand in glove with our allies to build a stable supply of critical minerals.”
“Despite the important role critical minerals play in everything from consumer electronics to military defense, we need more information to secure a reliable, long-term supply of these minerals,” said Cornyn. “This legislation would ensure the U.S. and our allies understand how critical minerals are controlled around the world so we can counter foreign countries of concern.”
Specifically, it would direct the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to evaluate the global supply and ownership of critical minerals, establish a process to help U.S. companies divest critical minerals operations in foreign countries, and develop a method for sharing intellectual property for clean mining and processing technologies with U.S. allies and partners.
In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has led and co-sponsored multiple other critical minerals related legislation, including:
- The bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies, led by Senator Young.
- His bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for sustainable critical mineral research innovation and recycling.
- His bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects.
Full text is available HERE.
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