Rep. Obernolte introduces legislation to bolster U.S. critical mineral supply chain

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jay Obernolte (CA-23) has introduced legislation to reduce the United States’ reliance on China and other foreign nations for critical minerals. Critical minerals and rare earth metals are used to manufacture consumer electronics, military equipment, electric vehicle batteries, and other advanced technologies vital to America’s homeland security and economic competitiveness. China is currently the largest source for more than half of the critical minerals on the U.S. Geological Survey’s 2022 list. The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act would address this concern by identifying opportunities to increase the domestic production and recycling of critical minerals. The bill is companion legislation to U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Mitt Romney (R-UT), and James Lankford’s (R-OK) bipartisan legislation.

“Critical minerals are essential to our economy, our national security, and the development of our country’s energy grid,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force will bring stakeholders together to identify how we can enhance our supply chains and shore up production of critical minerals here at home.”

“Our manufacturing sector and our global economic competitiveness depend on reliable access to critical minerals. Our nation’s dependence on adversarial nations like China for critical minerals poses serious national security and economic threats,” said Senator Peters. “This bill will strengthen our domestic critical minerals supply chain, create good-paying jobs, and ensure our advanced manufacturing sector can continue to compete on the global stage. I thank Representative Obernolte for spearheading this important effort in the House.”

This legislation requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director to appoint representatives from federal agencies to consult with state, local, and tribal governments. The Task Force will work to determine how to address national security risks associated with America’s critical mineral supply chains and identify new domestic opportunities for mining, processing, refinement, reuse, and recycling of critical minerals. The legislation would also require the Task Force to send a report to Congress and publish findings, guidelines, and recommendations to combat the United States’ reliance on China and other foreign nations for critical minerals.

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