A Republican bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act, also known as the "Finding ORE Act," allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter into agreements with partner foreign countries. These agreements focus on scientific and technical cooperation regarding the mapping of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The goal is to increase the security and resilience of international supply chains. The bill includes provisions for cooperative activities such as data analysis, training, and capacity building. The Secretary must notify Congress before entering into these agreements and collaborate with the Secretary of State.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill strengthens ties with allied nations through scientific and technical cooperation.
- Scored +4
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
It facilitates diplomatic cooperation on critical resource security via memoranda of understanding.
- Scored +4
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
By securing supply chains for critical minerals, it stabilizes the international trade environment for these resources.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Supply Chain Security: The bill aims to increase the security and resilience of international supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements (Section 3(b)).
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Support for Private Companies: Private companies headquartered in the United States or an allied foreign country may be offered the right of first refusal in the development of these minerals (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Economic Investment Opportunities: The bill seeks to facilitate private-sector investment by leveraging preferential financing from entities like the United States International Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Section 3(b)(3)).
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Educational and Professional Training: The bill provides for training and capacity building in various geoscience areas, as well as specialized training at institutions of higher education (Section 3(c)(5)-(6)).
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Improved Standards: The cooperative activities include training in environmental and workplace standards for officials and private companies in partner countries (Section 3(c)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill strengthens ties with allied nations through scientific and technical cooperation. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — It facilitates diplomatic cooperation on critical resource security via memoranda of understanding. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — By securing supply chains for critical minerals, it stabilizes the international trade environment for these resources. Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill involves technical cooperation and capacity building which serves as a form of soft-power aid.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides opportunities for private companies and investments in the mineral sector. Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides for specialized training and education in geoscience at higher education institutions.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By securing critical mineral supply chains, the bill aims to support long-term economic stability and growth. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill facilitates private-sector investment and mineral development which can lead to job creation in the resource sector.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill includes training for partner countries on environmental and workplace standards. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Critical minerals are essential for many renewable energy technologies, though the bill focuses on extraction rather than generation.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds scientific and technical cooperation in geological mapping and data analysis.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to enter into international agreements.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2/17/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 8/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Ben ClineRepublican · Virginia
Carlos GimenezRepublican · Florida
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Haley StevensDemocrat · Michigan
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia