Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has voted in favor of the Critical Minerals Dominance Act. This legislation aims to make permanent former President Donald Trump’s executive orders on mining and directs the Department of the Interior to address vulnerabilities in supply chains, particularly those that rely on China, by increasing mineral production within the United States.
“China fired a loaded gun at the world economy last October by putting a chokehold on the supply of critical minerals and threatening supply chains our nation depends on,” said Chairman Moolenaar. “This commonsense legislation would help end that threat, create more secure supply chains, and ensure American mineral deposits can be efficiently accessed to end American dependence on China. Mineral security is national security.”
The bill seeks to establish a stable domestic supply of critical minerals needed for U.S. manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, semiconductors, electronics, and other industrial products. The act was introduced by Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN) and passed with a vote of 224-195.
Last fall, the committee released a bipartisan investigation into China’s influence over global critical minerals markets. The findings indicated that the government of the People’s Republic of China subsidizes its state mining companies with large sums, including zero-interest loans, to support international acquisition efforts. Additionally, it has set up legal frameworks for mineral price reporting that allow Beijing to manipulate prices in line with its national interests. The report also noted that China lowered prices for key minerals like lithium while supporting its firms’ aggressive expansion abroad.
“From cell phones to fighter jets, every American is dependent on minerals that China manipulates for its own selfish interests,” said Moolenaar when releasing the report.
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party examines economic and security challenges from China while developing policy recommendations according to its official website: https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/. The committee operates as a bipartisan group within the U.S. House of Representatives and proposes legislation aimed at strengthening U.S. competitiveness against China. It analyzes issues such as technology competition and supply chain stability through hearings and reports, advancing strategies designed to protect U.S. innovation and coordinate governmental responses.