EXCLUSIVE — Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) have introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster the U.S. critical mineral supply chain by creating a training program for members of the Foreign Service and establishing a permanent adviser on minerals.
On Thursday, the two senators introduced the Critical Mineral Executive Coordination Act, which would establish a Foreign Service Institute training program to provide officers with the resources to advance both economic and national security interests related to critical minerals.
It would also establish a permanent position of special adviser to the president for critical minerals and supply chains within the National Security Council, to help coordinate the whole-of-government approach to critical minerals.
The legislation is part of an effort to advance the House’s DOMINANCE Act, which was led by Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA). The bill was voted out of the chamber in June. The Critical Mineral Executive Coordination Act would advance two of the six provisions in the DOMINANCE Act.
Several other senators have introduced separate pieces of legislation that include the DOMINANCE Act’s other provisions.
Critical minerals and rare earths are key materials for developing technology-based applications in the energy and defense sectors, as well as everyday products.
In a statement, Scott said his bill “supports our efforts to safeguard access to critical minerals, bolstering our national defense, energy security, and economic competitiveness. America’s future should be driven by American strength, and this bill helps make sure the U.S. – not China – leads the way.”
China controls the majority of the supply chain, which has raised national security concerns as Beijing has leveraged its market power over the United States by imposing export restrictions on rare earths. The U.S. and China have since reached a truce and lifted some of the restrictions, but that agreement is set to expire next month.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Washington for a state visit with President Donald Trump on Thursday. A point of conversation will likely be Beijing’s restrictions on rare earths.
During his administration, Trump has sought to boost and diversify the U.S. critical mineral supply chain in several ways, including by taking equity in mineral companies, creating a critical mineral reserve, and partnering with allied nations.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
