This bill directs the Department of Energy to lead an interagency task force that will analyze the current state of America's domestic processing of critical materials—such as rare earth elements and minerals essential for manufacturing and defense—and identify gaps in the supply chain. The task force, which includes representatives from Commerce, Defense, State, Treasury, Interior, and the EPA, must deliver a comprehensive report to Congress within one year examining why the U.S. has outsourced this processing to other countries, what regulatory barriers exist, and how China and other adversaries have come to dominate these markets. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study how federal environmental regulations and permitting processes may discourage investment in critical materials processing facilities and how allied nations approach these industries. Overall, the legislation aims to support the development of domestic critical materials processing capacity to reduce dependence on foreign competitors and strengthen national security and economic competitiveness.
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