U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced a bill to enhance the Department of Defense’s rare-earth element reserves while decreasing America’s reliance on China for rare-earth supplies.
The Restoring Essential Energy and Security Holdings Onshore for Rare Earths (REEShore) Act (H.R.8032) also calls for the investigation of Chinaʻs trade practices through the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce. Further, it requires Department of Defense contractors to disclose the origin country of rare-earth materials used by the U.S. military.
“We cannot let the Chinese Communist Party continue to benefit from supplying our country with necessary rare-earth materials,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is crucial that we fully understand where these rare-earth elements come from. By creating reserves controlled by the Department of Defense, we will decrease our reliance on the CCP for these resources and will allow the United States to resume its rightful position as a leader in rare-earth elements production.”
U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
“Rare-earth elements are critical to America’s military, our technology sector, and our infrastructure needs. From electric cars to smartphones, we must move away from our reliance on dictators and communists in countries like China and Russia to protect our national security. At any time, China could cut off their supply of these materials to the U.S., as they’ve already threatened to in the past,” Gottheimer said. “This new bipartisan legislation is an opportunity to stick it to China, work with our allies, and move toward American REE independence — all while boosting our strategic competition and eliminating our reliance on adversaries.”