John Cornyn (R-TX)
United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 329.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a multi-year Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere. The Secretary of State is tasked with developing this comprehensive strategy to reduce negative environmental and social impacts. Key goals include interrupting the connections between gold mining and illicit actors, such as criminal organizations and terrorists. The plan aims to protect natural resources and support artisanal and small-scale miners in formalizing their businesses. Additionally, the bill calls for coordinated international efforts to investigate financial crimes and the gold trade in Venezuela and Nicaragua.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill aims to deter mining in protected areas to prevent contamination of water, soil, and forests.
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill aims to protect indigenous communities from the impacts of illicit mining.
- Scored +5
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill protects indigenous and vulnerable communities in the Western Hemisphere.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Protection: The strategy aims to deter mining in protected areas to prevent the contamination of water, soil, forests, and fauna, as well as health issues caused by aerosol contamination. (Section 4(b)(2))
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Support for Small-Scale Miners: The bill includes provisions to aid artisanal and small-scale miners in formalizing their businesses through skills training, technical assistance, and access to financing and credit. (Section 4(b)(11)(A))
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Reduction of Health and Safety Risks: By encouraging mercury-free refining and better standards, the bill seeks to reduce the health impacts of toxic chemicals and the dangers associated with unregulated mining. (Section 4(b)(11)(B))
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Protection of Vulnerable Communities: The strategy aims to address the negative impacts of illicit mining on indigenous peoples and those subjected to human rights abuses, such as trafficking and forced labor. (Section s 2(2); Section 4(b)(4)(B))
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Economic Formalization: The bill promotes creating job growth areas through regulated artisanal mining and providing miners with access to fair market prices for their output. (Section 4(b)(7)(B); Section 4(c)(4)(B))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Military Force Authorized: The bill explicitly states that it does not authorize the use of military force or the introduction of United States forces into hostilities. (Section 9)
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 aims to protect indigenous communities from the impacts of illicit mining. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects indigenous and vulnerable communities in the Western Hemisphere. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to support artisanal and small-scale miners through financing and formalization. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill targets mining-related environmental and social issues in rural mining areas. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports the formalization of small-scale mining businesses. Would women be better off under this? — The bill addresses trafficking in persons, which includes sex work.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill aims to protect indigenous peoples from the negative impacts of illicit mining and human rights abuses. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill builds the capacity of foreign civilian law enforcement to counter illicit mining and associated financial crimes. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill supports formalizing small-scale mining to improve the socioeconomic status of miners and their communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides for skills training, technical assistance, and access to financing for artisanal and small-scale miners. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill seeks to develop mechanisms to support artisanal mining as a job growth area.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill aims to deter mining in protected areas to prevent contamination of water, soil, and forests.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill promotes bilateral cooperation and international partnerships to combat illicit gold mining.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill promotes transparency in mining-sector transactions and reporting institutions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill aims to reduce health impacts caused by toxic chemical exposure and aerosol contamination from mining.
- 2/10/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 329.
- 1/29/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada