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WASHINGTON, D.C. –  On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) joined House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-Utah), House Science, Space and Technology Committee Ranking Republican Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and 22 House Republicans in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) highlighting shortcomings with critical mineral supply chains in the United States and the immediate need to include Waltz’s bill addressing this issue in future COVID recovery legislation.  

Waltz recently sponsored legislation to bring America’s critical mineral supply chain back home and to reduce American dependence on Chinese minerals. The letter specifically urges the inclusion of Waltz’s legislation in the next COVID package.

“The United States has become increasingly dependent on countries like China, Russia and others to meet our demand for critical minerals. These materials are used in high tech applications across sectors, found in everything from satellites to smartphones to electric vehicles. Minerals are also highly valuable in healthcare, used in antimicrobial hospital beds, specialized cancer treatments, x-ray machines, medical research and many other applications. The past months have underscored the urgency of prioritizing domestic critical mineral development to ensure our near and long-term economic stability and security…

“The American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act (H.R. 7061) was introduced in the House of Representatives in May… the additional provisions in the House bill are essential to increasing the efficiency of the permitting process and expanding the research and development activities that will ensure a secure U.S. critical minerals future for the next generation. As the House and Senate work to develop consensus on COVID-19 response and recovery legislation, we urge your support for the inclusion of these provisions to begin to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign minerals and mitigate this growing threat to the American people.”

Read the full letter HERE.