New Bill Creates Task Force to Tackle U.S. Reliance on Foreign Critical Minerals, Assess Security Risks

This legislation, the "Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act," sets up a new group focused squarely on a big problem: the United States depends heavily on other countries, especially China, for minerals essential to everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to advanced military equipment. The bill directly acknowledges that in 2022, the U.S. imported 100% of 12 critical minerals and over half of 31 others, with China dominating production for many. The main goal here is to figure out how to reduce this reliance and the national security risks that come with it.

Unpacking the Mineral Dependency

The bill highlights findings that reliance on foreign sources, particularly nations considered adversaries, poses significant risks. It specifically points to China's dominance in the critical minerals market – being the top producer for 30 out of 50 designated critical minerals – and mentions past trade disputes where China restricted exports, hurting U.S. manufacturers. The core issue identified is vulnerability: if supply chains are disrupted, it impacts technology, renewable energy development, transportation, and national defense.

Enter the Task Force

To address this, the Act amends existing law to create an "intergovernmental critical minerals task force." Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the President needs to appoint a chair or co-chairs. This group will bring together representatives from various federal agencies and outside experts. Its job description is pretty broad:

• Assess the risks: Dig into how dependent the U.S. is on countries like China and what that means for national security.
• Recommend solutions: Advise the President on ways to secure reliable supply chains, boost domestic mining, processing, and recycling, and potentially update laws to speed things up.
• Foster teamwork: Encourage cooperation between federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial governments.
• Improve data: Enhance data sharing and transparency around mineral supply chains.
• Strengthen the workforce: Look for ways to build up a skilled domestic workforce for these industries with good, safe jobs.
• Work with allies: Develop strategies for international partnerships to secure supplies.

The task force must meet regularly (at least every 90 days once formed) and consult with a wide range of stakeholders, from industry reps to academic institutions.

The Ground Rules and Reality Checks

This isn't an open-ended committee. The task force has deadlines: it needs to brief Congress every 60 days on progress and submit a final report with recommendations within two years. That report will be made public, though parts might be redacted for national security reasons. Importantly, the bill states no additional funds are authorized to carry out these duties, meaning the task force will need to operate using existing agency resources. This could pose a practical challenge to its effectiveness. The task force is also directed to avoid duplicating work already being done elsewhere in the government and will dissolve 90 days after submitting its final report. Separately, the bill requires the Comptroller General (an independent government watchdog) to study the regulatory landscape affecting domestic critical mineral supply chains and report back to Congress within 18 months. This study could highlight hurdles that need clearing if the U.S. wants to ramp up domestic production.