House lawmakers Wednesday used a hearing on the Defense Production Act to highlight the growing need for federal investments in critical mineral supply chains.
The field hearing in Ohio, hosted by Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee, comes as President Donald Trump is wielding the Cold War-era law to bolster domestic mineral production and as Congress looks to reauthorize the DPA before its Sept. 30 expiration date.
“Modernizing the DPA demands a proactive approach to bolster domestic capabilities before emergencies strike,” said Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions.
“Today, as our dependence on foreign critical materials — semiconductors, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals — grows, the DPA’s importance is undeniable,” he said.
