Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025
Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of the Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025 **What the Bill Does** This bill would require the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a comprehensive strategy for securing America's access to critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs)—materials essential for modern technology like smartphones, wind turbines, and military equipment. The department would need to create reports on global supplies of these materials and establish processes to help American companies and investors gain access to them. The bill recognizes that the U.S. currently depends heavily on other countries for these resources, which could create economic and national security vulnerabilities. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects U.S.
mining and technology companies, as well as consumers who depend on products made with these materials. Key requirements include submitting detailed reports on worldwide critical mineral resources and supply chains within one year, then every two years after that. The bill also directs the Interior Department to assist American businesses in securing these resources domestically and internationally. The specific minerals covered include 17 rare earth elements used in advanced technologies and national defense applications. **Current Status** The bill (S. 789) was introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in the 119th Congress and is currently pending in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025This bill establishes requirements for the Department of the Interior related to securing U.S. access to critical minerals and rare earth element (REE) resources. Critical minerals mean any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey. REEs mean cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, and yttrium. First, Interior must report on the critical mineral and REE resources, including recyclable or recycled materials containing those resources, around the world. Among other information, the report must include an assessment of the global ownership and supply of critical mineral and REE resources. Interior must submit the report within a year and every two years thereafter.Next, Interior must establish a process to assist a U.S. person—a U.S. citizen, a non-U.S. National (alien under federal law) lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an entity organized under U.S. laws—seeking to divest stock in mining, processing, or recycling operations for critical minerals and REEs in a foreign country with finding a purchaser that is not under the control of North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran.Finally, Interior must develop (1) a strategy to collaborate with U.S. allies and partners to develop advanced mining, refining, separation, processing, and recycling technologies; and (2) a method for sharing related intellectual property with U.S. allies and partners to enable those countries to license those technologies and develop their resources.
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-46.