Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is introducing a bill today to block the Energy Department from entering into contracts concerning critical minerals or batteries with companies deemed to be a national security threat.
Cotton’s proposal applies broadly, but the primary focus is China given concerns over Beijing's role in critical mineral markets. The bill could have some legs given that Cotton chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and is the No. 3 Republican in the conference. The bill is also cosponsored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch (R-Idaho).
