The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 13 marked up and advanced to the full chamber a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) that would align U.S. diplomatic and financing tools to build resilient and diversified energy and minerals supply chains.
“I’m proud to see this bill advance out of committee so we can unleash the next generation of American energy dominance,” said Rep. Kim, who on Jan. 13 sponsored the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies (DOMINANCE) Act, H.R. 7037, alongside 13 original cosponsors, including lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA).
The committee voted 45-0 to pass H.R. 7037, which specifically would formalize America’s participation in the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) to coordinate with allies and trusted partners on critical mineral investments, project development, and supply chain security.
Additionally, the bill would create energy security pacts to align U.S. agencies and mobilize private-sector investment in strategic energy and mineral projects abroad, and establish the Bureau of Energy Security and Diplomacy at the U.S. State Department to lead America’s international energy, critical minerals, and supply chain strategy.
Among other provisions, H.R. 7037 would expand mining and engineering fellowship, scholar exchange, and workforce development programs to build America’s pipeline of critical mineral talent and expertise, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Kim’s staff.
“Critical minerals are the foundation of America’s military power, industrial strength, and economic competitiveness. We cannot rely on China for the very materials that underpin our economic and national security,” Rep. Kim said. “My DOMINANCE Act helps lock in President Trump’s critical minerals strategy and counter the CCP’s decades-long chokehold on critical mineral supply chains.”
Numerous organizations support the bill, including the American Council for Capital Formation, the American Critical Minerals Association, the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, the Climate Leadership Council, the Foundation for American Innovation, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the US-ASEAN Business Council, among others.