John Cornyn (R-TX)
United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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 United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act aims to establish a multi-year strategy to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere. This plan focuses on reducing the negative environmental and social impacts caused by illegal mining activities. The strategy includes disrupting connections between artisanal miners and criminal organizations, as well as addressing corruption and money laundering. It also seeks to support the formalization of small-scale mining and enhance environmental protections. Additionally, the act targets the illicit gold trade in specific countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua. The goal is to build responsible gold value chains through international cooperation and public-private partnerships.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The act specifically targets the prevention of contamination of water, soil, and forests through mining regulation.
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill fosters international cooperation and bilateral partnerships in the Western Hemisphere.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly aims to protect the rights and lands of indigenous communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources: The strategy aims to deter mining in protected areas to prevent the contamination of water, soil, forests, and fauna (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Reduction of Health Risks: By targeting the use of mercury and the release of toxic dust, the bill seeks to prevent severe health problems caused by environmental contamination (Section 4(b)(10)).
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Support for Indigenous Communities and Human Rights: The bill addresses the vulnerabilities of indigenous peoples who face trafficking, human rights abuses, and displacement due to illegal mining (Section 2(2)).
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Economic Empowerment for Small-Scale Miners: The strategy intends to help artisanal and small-scale miners formalize their businesses through skills training, technical assistance, and access to financing (Section 4(b)(11)(A)).
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Combating Human Rights Abuses: The strategy focuses on building capacity to counter links between illicit mining and trafficking in persons, including forced labor, sex work, and child labor (Section 4(b)(4)(B)).
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Journalistic Support: The act includes assistance for local journalists to investigate the illicit gold trade and its commercialization (Section 4(b)(13)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burdens on Small-Scale Miners: While the bill seeks to assist with formalization, it acknowledges that current processes involve costs associated with compliance and regulation (Section 4(b)(11)(C)).
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Risk of Economic Disruption through Sanctions: The use of punitive measures and targeted sanctions against specific regimes and persons could impact broader economic activities in those regions (Section 4(b)(12) and Section 6(2)(A)).
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 aims to protect the rights and lands of indigenous communities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill addresses environmental and safety issues directly affecting rural mining communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Small-scale mining entrepreneurs benefit from technical assistance and access to credit. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Support for small-scale miners and formalization can improve economic stability for low-income workers. Would women be better off under this? — The bill targets the reduction of sex work-related trafficking often linked to illicit mining. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill's environmental protections may improve living conditions for all vulnerable residents. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill's impacts are primarily focused on rural mining regions.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The act provides for skills training, technical assistance, and access to financing for small-scale miners. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill seeks to develop artisanal mining as a job growth area through formalization.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill builds the capacity of foreign law enforcement to counter illegal mining and financial crimes. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to improve socioeconomic status by supporting the formalization of small-scale mining. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill addresses vulnerabilities in mining areas, though its primary focus is on social and human rights.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The act specifically targets the prevention of contamination of water, soil, and forests through mining regulation.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill fosters international cooperation and bilateral partnerships in the Western Hemisphere. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill focuses on regional security and crime disruption which indirectly impacts veteran stability in some contexts.
- 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 gold supply chains.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By targeting mercury use and toxic dust, the bill aims to reduce severe health problems in mining areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill encourages the use of new technologies for mercury-free gold refining.
- 2/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia