Representatives Lee, Fulcher Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Critical Minerals Council, Federal Strategy on Critical Minerals

Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) and Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01) introduced the bipartisan National Critical Minerals Council Act, which would establish a National Critical Minerals Council to develop and implement a national strategy on critical minerals and build reliable supply chains at home and abroad. U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Critical minerals are used in everything from our phones to solar panels and aircraft used by the Department of Defense. It’s essential we develop our domestic critical mineral supply chains and reduce our dependence on foreign countries for rare earths,” said Congresswoman Lee. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral National Critical Minerals Council Act. This commonsense legislation will ensure the United States continues to grow our domestic supply of critical minerals, strengthening our national security and energy grid.”

Critical minerals power our modern way of life, including vehicles, smartphones, defense systems, medical equipment, AI and clean energy. Yet, China dominates the market, processing or refining about 70% of the world’s critical minerals. The U.S. is fully reliant on imports for 16 critical minerals. Given the scale of the challenge, our federal response remains fragmented, with more than 15 federal agencies and departments working on critical minerals issues. Absent a unified effort, the U.S. risks falling behind in securing the minerals essential to our competitiveness and leadership in energy security and national defense.

“For far too long, our country has depended on foreign adversaries for vital minerals that support many of our defense capabilities and energy systems. This legislation will establish important structures for mineral development and help build critical partnerships,” said Congressman Russ Fulcher. “I am proud to co-lead the National Critical Minerals Council Act with my colleague, Congresswoman Lee. By securing the critical minerals we have here at home today, we can build stronger energy security for tomorrow.”

“China doesn’t need to fire a shot. It just needs to stop a shipment,” said Senator John Hickenlooper. “We need a national strategy on critical minerals now. Otherwise, Beijing decides who gets the supply — and who doesn't.”

“As the world races to acquire and leverage the critical minerals that power the modern economy, the United States needs an efficient and effective plan to secure these important resources,” said Senator Jacky Rosen. “I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure the United States has the infrastructure it needs to secure critical minerals and remain at the forefront of modern development.”

“The United States can no longer afford to take a piecemeal approach to address our critical minerals needs,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to establish a comprehensive and unified strategy to secure the minerals that are essential to our national security and economic stability.”

“It’s common sense: we cannot continue to rely on adversaries like China, which dominates the world’s critical minerals processing, for our critical mineral needs because it puts America's national security at risk and threatens our competitive edge,” said Senator Tim Sheehy. “This crucial legislation reduces our dependence on others and bolsters America’s critical mineral supply chains by centralizing federal coordination, strategy, and research, making our nation more secure and self-reliant. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation as we work to ensure America’s needs can be securely met.”

“We cannot afford to become more dependent on other countries for the critical minerals needed to power our economy and strengthen our national security,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “Our bill establishes a National Critical Minerals Council to unite all federal investment, research, and development on critical minerals under a single national strategy. The demand for critical minerals is growing every single day, and we need to seize every opportunity to jumpstart domestic production.”

The Secretary of the Interior, the National Security Adviser, and the Director of the National Economic Council would co-chair the council. They would appoint a Chief Minerals Adviser to oversee the Council’s operations and collaborate with experts from universities, industry, national labs, governments, Tribes, non-profits, and civil society.

Specifically, the council would:

• Develop a national critical minerals strategy to reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries.
• Work with allied nations and private entities to make the U.S. the partner of choice on critical minerals projects.
• Track foreign investments in global critical mineral projects.
• Coordinate education and workforce development.
• Oversee the responsible development of domestic resources.

Congresswoman Lee has worked consistently to strengthen America's domestic critical mineral supply chain and reduce our reliance on foreign sources of key minerals and materials. Her bipartisan Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 755) recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously. This legislation will provide much-needed clarity to industry and federal agencies by conferring the same benefits — including federal tax credit and financing opportunities — to both “critical materials,” as identified by the Department of Energy, and “critical minerals,” as identified by the U.S. Geological Survey within the Department of the Interior.

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