The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to bolster federal cooperation with allies to produce critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, which has used its dominant position as leverage against the West.The legislation, which passed by voice vote, would direct the United States to work with allies and partners to secure critical mineral supply chains and promote domestic production.The bill, known as the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies Act and written by Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA), passed by voice vote.
“Critical minerals are embedded into our daily lives,” Kim told the Washington Examiner.
The minerals are essential for developing technology-based applications in the energy and defense sectors, plus everyday items such as smartphones, tablets, and microwaves.
But the U.S. has relied on China for critical minerals for years, posing a national security risk.
The bill would establish a Bureau of Energy Security and Diplomacy in the State Department to focus on international energy, critical minerals, and supply chain strategy. It would also encourage the creation of a special adviser to the president for critical minerals and supply chain to oversee the whole-of-government approach.
