H.R. 6696

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6696 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6696

To provide for the establishment of a Critical Minerals Security 
Alliance, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 12, 2025

Mr. Panetta (for himself and Mr. Kustoff) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in 
addition to the Committees on Rules, Natural Resources, Energy and 
Commerce, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for the establishment of a Critical Minerals Security 
Alliance, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Restoring American Mineral Security 
Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) a reliable supply chain of critical minerals is 
essential to meet the defense, manufacturing, and energy needs 
of the United States;
(2) as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the United 
States is heavily dependent on the People's Republic of China 
for the production and processing of many key critical 
minerals;
(3) the Government of the People's Republic of China has 
displayed a willingness to weaponize its dominance of critical 
mineral production and has intentionally created overcapacity 
and sold products at below-market rates in order to gain market 
share and move up the value chain;
(4) the United States must use trade tools to combat those 
non-market policies and practices, and the use of trade tools 
is most effective when undertaken in coordination with trading 
partners; and
(5) by building an alliance of trusted trading partners, 
the United States can combat the oversupply and market 
manipulation of the People's Republic of China and promote the 
growth of a robust domestic United States critical minerals 
industry.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
Representatives.
(2) Critical mineral.--The term ``critical mineral'' means 
any mineral on the list of critical minerals required by 
paragraph (3) of section 7002(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 
U.S.C. 1606(c)).
(3) Derivative product.--The term ``derivative product''--
(A) means a good that incorporates a critical 
mineral; and
(B) includes--
(i) a semi-finished good, such as a 
semiconductor wafer, anode, or cathode; and
(ii) a final product, such as a permanent 
magnet, motor, electric vehicle, battery, 
smartphone, microprocessor, radar system, wind 
turbine or a component of a wind turbine, or 
advanced optical device.
(4) Excluded duty.--The term ``excluded duty'' means--
(A) antidumping and countervailing duties imposed 
under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1671 et seq.);
(B) duties, quotas, and tariff-rate quotas imposed 
under chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 
(19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.); and
(C) duties imposed consistent with a ruling 
authorizing the suspension of benefits or concessions 
on the part of the United States, issued by--
(i) a dispute settlement panel constituted 
under a bilateral or plurilateral free trade 
agreement for which explicit congressional 
approval pursuant to the requirements of 
section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 
2191) has been enacted before the date of the 
enactment of this Act, before which the United 
States is a party; or
(ii) a dispute settlement panel described 
in section 123 of the Uruguay Rounds Agreement 
Act (19 U.S.C. 3533) before which the United 
States is a party.
(5) Foreign country of concern.--The term ``foreign country 
of concern''--
(A) has the meaning given that term in section 9901 
of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 
4651); and
(B) includes the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
(6) Foreign entity of concern.--The term ``foreign entity 
of concern'' has the meaning given that term in section 9901 of 
the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4651), except that 
subparagraph (C) of that section shall be applied and 
administered by substituting ``a foreign country of concern'' 
for ``a foreign country'' and all that follows through ``title 
10, United States Code''.
(7) Processed.--The term ``processed'', with respect to a 
critical mineral, means the mineral has undergone the 
activities that occur after critical mineral ore is extracted 
from a mine up through its conversion into a metal, metal 
powder, or a master alloy.
(8) Select derivative product.--The term ``select 
derivative product'' means a permanent magnet, a lithium-ion 
battery for an electrical vehicle, a lithium-ion battery for a 
vehicle that is not an electrical vehicle, or a part for a 
battery that is not a lithium-ion battery.
(9) Trade representative.--The term ``Trade 
Representative'' means the United States Trade Representative.

SEC. 4. CRITICAL MINERALS SECURITY ALLIANCE.

(a) Authorization for Negotiations.--
(1) In general.--The Trade Representative may enter into 
negotiations with countries to enter into an alliance, to be 
known as the ``Critical Minerals Security Alliance'' (in this 
section referred to as the ``Alliance''), to establish a 
reliable supply chain of critical minerals.
(2) Consultations.--While conducting negotiations pursuant 
to paragraph (1), the Trade Representative shall consult with 
the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
Secretary of State, and the appropriate congressional 
committees.
(b) Eligibility Criteria.--A country is eligible to enter into the 
Alliance if the government of the country--
(1) either--
(A) increases the rates of duty the country charges 
for mined and processed critical minerals and select 
derivative products sourced from foreign countries of 
concern to rates that are not less than the rates of 
duty for mined and processed critical minerals and 
select derivative products, respectively, sourced from 
the People's Republic of China imposed by the United 
States pursuant to section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 
(19 U.S.C. 2411) and in effect on January 1, 2026;
(B) agrees to increase the rates of duty described 
in subparagraph (A) to the rates required in such 
subparagraph over a period of not more than 5 years; or
(C) adopts measures comparable to, or greater in 
effect than, the trade remedies available under title 
III of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411 et seq.), 
such as prohibitions or quotas on the importation into 
the country of mined and processed critical minerals 
and select derivative products sourced from foreign 
countries of concern.
(2) agrees to meet and participate in regular meetings of 
the Alliance;
(3) commits to continually review the capacity of the 
country to extract and process critical minerals and share the 
results of those reviews with other countries that are members 
of the Alliance;
(4) eliminates duties on imports of mined and processed 
critical minerals and select derivative products from countries 
that are members of the Alliance, other than excluded duties;
(5) takes actions that are complementary to the actions of 
the United States to address unfair trade policies of a country 
that is not a member of the Alliance, including actions--
(A) to address the potential illicit shipment of 
critical minerals and derivative products, specifically 
transshipment that is intended to circumvent duties, 
evade customs enforcement, or obfuscate the origin of 
products produced in whole or in part with forced 
labor;
(B) to establish or maintain robust investment 
screening mechanisms, including to screen investments 
in entities that produce critical minerals and 
derivative products, that are at least as effective as 
the national security reviews and investigations 
required under section 721 of the Defense Production 
Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565); and
(C) to ensure effective trade remedies against 
imports of critical minerals and derivative products 
sourced from a foreign country of concern or a foreign 
entity of concern;
(6) works with the United States to establish a mechanism 
to address shared threats to members of the Alliance from 
investments by foreign countries of concern;
(7) engages in discussions with the United States regarding 
trade and ways to promote and protect the economic security of 
the Alliance in sectors other than critical minerals; and
(8) coordinates with the United States to enact or maintain 
policies to impose rates of duty as specified in paragraph 
(1)(A) on mined and processed critical minerals and select 
derivative products that are sourced from foreign entities of 
concern.
(c) Engagement.--The Trade Representative shall engage with 
countries that trade with the United States of the United States and 
encourage such countries to take the measures necessary to comply with 
the eligibility criteria described in subsection (b).
(d) Certifications of Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--If the Trade Representative determines 
that a country complies with the eligibility criteria described 
in subsection (b), the Trade Representative shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees--
(A) a certification that the country is eligible 
for admittance into the Alliance; and
(B) a report describing--
(i) the compliance of such country with 
respect to the eligibility criteria described 
in subsection (b); and
(ii) the critical minerals sector of such 
country.
(2) Notice.--The submission of a certification under 
paragraph (1) with respect to a country shall be considered 
notice of the intention of the Trade Representative to enter 
into an agreement providing for the admittance of the country 
in the Alliance for purposes of subsection (i).
(e) Negotiating Objectives.--In conducting negotiations under 
subsection (a), the Trade Representative shall seek to establish a 
reliable supply chain for--
(1) not less than 90 percent of the critical minerals on 
the list required by section 7002(c)(1) of the Energy Act of 
2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(c)(1)); and
(2) 100 percent of select derivative products.
(f) Entry Into Force.--An agreement providing for the admittance of 
a country into the Alliance may enter into force if--
(1) a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law 
under subsection (i) after the submission of a certification 
that the country is eligible for admittance into the Alliance 
under subsection (d); or
(2) a period of 90 days has elapsed after the submission of 
a certification that the country is eligible for admittance 
into the Alliance under subsection (d) and a joint resolution 
of disapproval is not enacted into law under subsection (i) 
during that 90-day period.
(g) Duty-Free Treatment After Entry Into Force.--Upon the entry 
into force of an agreement providing for the admittance of a country 
into the Alliance, mined and processed critical minerals and select 
derivative products imported from the country shall--
(1) enter the United States free of duty, except for 
excluded duties; and
(2) be exempt from any duties imposed under section 301 of 
the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411) or section 232 of the 
Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862) on or after the 
date of entry into force of the agreement.
(h) Modifications to Agreements.--A modification to an agreement 
providing for the admittance of a country into the Alliance shall take 
effect if--
(1) the Trade Representative submits to the appropriate 
congressional committees notice of the intention of the Trade 
Representative to agree to the modification; and
(2)(A) a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law 
under subsection (i) after the submission of that notice; or
(B) a period of 90 days has elapsed after the submission of 
that notice and a joint resolution of disapproval is not 
enacted into law under subsection (i) during that 90-day 
period.
(i) Joint Resolutions.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Covered action.--The term ``covered action'' 
means--
(i) the entry into an agreement providing 
for the admittance of a country into the 
Alliance; or
(ii) a modification to such an agreement.
(B) Covered joint resolution.--The term ``covered 
joint resolution'' means a joint resolution of approval 
or a joint resolution of disapproval.
(C) Joint resolution of approval.--The term ``joint 
resolution of approval'' means a joint resolution the 
sole matter after the resolving clause of which is the 
following: ``That Congress approves the covered action 
relating to ___, notice of which was submitted to 
Congress on __ under section 4 of the Restoring 
American Mineral Security Act of 2025.'', with the 
first blank space being filled with a brief description 
of the covered action and the second blank space being 
filled with the appropriate date.
(D) Joint resolution of disapproval.--The term 
``joint resolution of disapproval'' means a joint 
resolution the sole matter after the resolving clause 
of which is the following: ``That Congress does not 
approve the covered action relating to ___, notice of 
which was submitted to Congress on __ under section 4 
of the Restoring American Mineral Security Act of 
2025.'', with the first blank space being filled with a 
brief description of the covered action and the second 
blank space being filled with the appropriate date.
(2) Introduction.--A covered joint resolution may be 
introduced in the Senate or the House of Representatives by any 
Member of the Senate or the House, respectively.
(3) Consideration.--The provisions of subsections (b) 
through (f) of section 152 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 
2192) shall apply to a covered joint resolution to the same 
extent and in the same manner as such subsections apply to 
resolutions described in such section 152.
(4) Rules of senate and house of representatives.--This 
subsection is enacted by Congress--
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, 
and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each 
House, respectively, but applicable only with respect 
to the procedure to be followed in that House in the 
case of a joint resolution under this subsection, and 
supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is 
inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional 
right of either House to change the rules (so far as 
relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, 
in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the 
case of any other rule of that House.
(j) Reviews by United States.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the entry 
into force of the first agreement providing for the admittance 
of a country into the Alliance, and every 3 years thereafter 
while the Alliance remains in effect, the Trade Representative, 
in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal agencies and 
appropriate congressional committees, shall--
(A) review the capacity of the United States to 
extract and process critical minerals to determine 
whether it is appropriate to terminate or modify the 
Alliance; and
(B) if commercially significant quantities of a 
critical mineral are produced in the United States, 
consider seeking the removal of that critical mineral 
from the products covered by the Alliance.
(2) First review.--As part of the first review conducted 
under paragraph (1), the Trade Representative shall assess the 
feasibility and advisability of--
(A) expanding the scope of products covered by the 
Alliance to include derivative products; or
(B) otherwise expanding or restricting the scope of 
products covered by the Alliance.
(3) Review of duty rates.--As part of each review conducted 
under paragraph (1), the Trade Representative shall assess 
whether countries that are members of the Alliance should 
adjust the rates of duty imposed on mined and processed 
critical minerals that are sourced from foreign countries of 
concern.
(k) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Trade 
Representative shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a report that includes--
(1) a description of engagement with countries that trade 
with the United States under subsection (c);
(2) with respect to each trading partner that the Trade 
Representative determines does not meet the criteria 
eligibility criteria under subsection (b), a detailed 
description of the deficiencies of the government of the 
country in complying with the criteria; and
(3) the information provided by countries that are members 
of the Alliance with respect to the capacities of such 
countries to extract and process critical minerals.

SEC. 5. INCREASE IN DUTIES ON IMPORTS OF MINED AND PROCESSED CRITICAL 
MINERALS AND SELECT DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS FROM FOREIGN 
COUNTRIES OF CONCERN.

Upon the entry into force of the first agreement providing for the 
admittance of a country into the Critical Minerals Security Alliance 
under section 4, mined and processed critical minerals and select 
derivative products imported into the United States and sourced from a 
foreign country of concern shall be subject to the rate of duty in 
effect on January 1, 2026, and applicable to such products sourced from 
the People's Republic of China pursuant to section 301 of the Trade Act 
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411).

SEC. 6. TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT UNITED STATES CRITICAL MINERAL MINING AND 
PROCESSING PROJECTS.

(a) Establishment of Trust Fund.--There is established in the 
Treasury of the United States a trust fund, consisting of--
(1) amounts transferred to the trust fund under subsection 
(b); and
(2) any amounts that may be credited to the trust fund 
under subsection (c).
(b) Transfer of Amounts.--
(1) In general.--For the first fiscal year in which a 
country has been admitted to the Critical Minerals Security 
Alliance under section 4 and each fiscal year thereafter during 
which any foreign country is a member of such Alliance, the 
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the trust fund 
established under subsection (a), from the general fund of the 
Treasury, an amount equivalent to the amount received into the 
general fund during that fiscal year and attributable to duties 
collected on mined and processed critical minerals imported 
into the United States.
(2) Frequency of transfers.--The Secretary shall transfer 
amounts required by paragraph (1) to the trust fund established 
under subsection (a) not less frequently than quarterly.
(c) Investment of Amounts.--
(1) Investment of amounts.--The Secretary shall invest such 
portion of the trust fund established under subsection (a) as 
is not required to meet current withdrawals in interest-bearing 
obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed 
as to both principal and interest by the United States.
(2) Interest and proceeds.--The interest on, and the 
proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held 
in the trust fund established under subsection (a) shall be 
credited to and form a part of the trust fund.
(d) Availability of Amounts in Trust Fund.--
(1) In general.--Amounts in the trust fund established 
under subsection (a) shall be available, without further 
appropriation, as follows:
(A) 60 percent of such amounts shall be available 
to the Loan Programs Office of the Department of Energy 
for activities to support projects relating to--
(i) mining or processing critical minerals; 
or
(ii) manufacturing of select derivative 
products.
(B) 20 percent of such amounts shall be available 
to the Department of Defense for activities to support 
projects relating to--
(i) mining or processing critical minerals; 
or
(ii) manufacturing of select derivative 
products.
(C) 20 percent of such amounts shall be available 
to the United States International Development Finance 
Corporation to support international critical mineral 
projects in countries that are members of the Alliance.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
be construed to preclude a person from seeking support for a 
project under both subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).
(e) Exception From Certain Limitation Under Build Act of 2018.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of providing support for 
projects under subsection (d)(1)(C)--
(A) the United States International Development 
Finance Corporation may provide support for projects in 
countries with upper-middle-income economies or high-
income economies (as those terms are defined by the 
World Bank);
(B) the restriction under section 1412(c)(2) of the 
Better Utilization of Investments Leading to 
Development Act of 2018 (22 U.S.C. 9612(c)(2)) shall 
not apply; and
(C) the Corporation shall restrict the provision of 
such support in a country described in subparagraph (A) 
unless the President certifies to the appropriate 
committees of Congress that--
(i) such support furthers the national 
economic or foreign policy interests of the 
United States;
(ii) such support is--
(I) designed to produce significant 
developmental outcomes or provide 
developmental benefits to the poorest 
population of that country; or
(II) necessary to preempt or 
counter efforts by a strategic 
competitor of the United States to 
secure significant political or 
economic leverage or acquire national 
security-sensitive technologies or 
infrastructure in a country that is an 
ally or partner of the United States; 
and
(iii)(I) a United States entity is 
participating in the project for which the 
support is provided; or
(II) not less than 50 percent of the 
critical minerals produced by the project will 
be offered for sale to the Department of 
Defense and United States entities before being 
offered for sale to other entities.
(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(i) the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(ii) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
Representatives.
(B) Less developed country.--The term ``less 
developed country'' has the meaning given that term in 
section 1402 of the Better Utilization of Investments 
Leading to Development Act of 2018 (22 U.S.C. 9601).
(C) United states entity.--The term ``United States 
entity'' means an entity organized under the laws of 
the United States or any jurisdiction within the United 
States.
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