Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official Website
Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party voted in favor of the Critical Minerals Dominance Act, a bill that would make permanent President Donald Trump’s executive orders on mining. The legislation instructs the Department of the Interior to address vulnerabilities in supply chains, particularly U.S. dependence on China, by increasing domestic mineral production.
"China fired a loaded gun at the world economy last October by putting a chokehold on the supply of critical minerals and threatening supply chains our nation depends on," said Chairman Moolenaar. "This commonsense legislation would help end that threat, create more secure supply chains, and ensure American mineral deposits can be efficiently accessed to end American dependence on China. Mineral security is national security."
The act aims to establish a stable supply of critical minerals for U.S. manufacturers who produce automobiles, semiconductors, electronics, and other industrial goods. The bill was introduced by Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN) and passed with a vote of 224-195.
Last year, the committee published a bipartisan investigation into China’s role in manipulating global critical minerals markets. The findings showed that China's government provides significant subsidies to its state mining companies—including zero-interest loans—to support international acquisition of mining assets. It also found that China has set up legal frameworks allowing it to influence mineral prices for its own interests and has driven down prices for key materials like lithium while subsidizing firms to expand control over global supplies.
"From cell phones to fighter jets, every American is dependent on minerals that China manipulates for its own selfish interests," said Moolenaar when the report was released.
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party reviews economic and security challenges posed by China while making policy recommendations according to its official website: https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/. As a bipartisan body within the U.S. House of Representatives, it develops legislative proposals aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness against China and analyzes issues such as technology competition and supply chain stability.
