Jay Obernolte (R-CA)
Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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 Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act aims to reduce United States reliance on the People's Republic of China and other covered countries for critical minerals and rare Earth metals. It establishes a task force to coordinate efforts between the Federal Government and State, local, Tribal, and territorial jurisdictions. This task force will assess national security risks, recommend ways to secure supply chains, and identify domestic alternatives for these minerals. The bill also requires a study by the Comptroller General on the Federal and State regulatory landscape.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly includes Indian Tribes in the task force and requires consultation with Tribal communities.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Mining and processing businesses stand to benefit from increased domestic production efforts.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Domestic mineral extraction typically benefits rural areas through industrial development and employment.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill allows the redaction of information from public reports for national security reasons.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Job Creation: The bill seeks recommendations to strengthen the domestic workforce by creating "good-paying, safe jobs" in the United States to support critical mineral supply chains (Section 3(g)(5)(A)(ii)(III)).
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Environmental Responsibility: The task force is tasked with providing recommendations for the "environmentally responsible production" of domestic resources and the acceleration of "environmentally responsible domestic and international production" of minerals (Section 3(g)(5)(A)(ii)(I) and (II)).
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National Security: By reducing reliance on covered countries for minerals used in military equipment, technology, and renewable energy, the bill aims to mitigate risks to the national security of the United States (Section 2 and Section 3(g)(5)(A)(ii)(VI)).
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Intergovernmental Cooperation: The bill facilitates coordination and "mutual accountability" among Indian Tribes, State, local, and territorial governments and the Federal Government (Section 3(g)(1)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Lack of Funding: The bill explicitly states that "No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated" for the task force, which may limit its ability to effectively carry out its duties (Section 3(g)(8)).
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Potential for Secretive Findings: While the final report must be published in the Federal Register, the Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons can redact any information they determine "could pose a risk to the national security of the United States," potentially limiting public transparency (Section 3(g)(5)(C)(iii)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Indian Tribes in the task force and requires consultation with Tribal communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Mining and processing businesses stand to benefit from increased domestic production efforts. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Domestic mineral extraction typically benefits rural areas through industrial development and employment. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill aims to create good-paying, safe jobs and includes labor representatives in consultations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The task force is mandated to provide recommendations for environmentally responsible production of minerals. Does this invest in rural communities? — Mining and processing operations often stimulate development in rural areas where minerals are located. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Securing critical minerals is explicitly linked to supporting the renewable energy sector. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill involves the Bureau of Land Management in coordinating domestic mineral resource production. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Domestic critical minerals are essential for renewable energy technology which helps reduce emissions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill promotes strengthening international partnerships with allies like NATO and Quad members for supply chain security. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — It encourages coordinated diplomatic strategies to reduce reliance on geostrategic adversaries. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — It aims to secure and diversify critical mineral trade routes away from covered countries.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill seeks recommendations to create good-paying, safe jobs in the domestic critical mineral supply chain. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Onshoring critical mineral supply chains can stimulate domestic industrial growth and economic resilience.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The bill seeks to coordinate supply chains across different state and federal jurisdictions. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Ensures state, local, and Tribal governments have a seat at the table in the task force. Does this give the federal government more power? — Establishes a new federal task force to coordinate state and local efforts. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill allows the redaction of information from public reports for national security reasons.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill involves the National Science Foundation and focuses on advanced mining and processing technologies.
- 12/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia