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Watchdogs, Democrats and some witnesses press for stronger oversight of proposed strategic minerals reserve
Summary
Ranking members and public-interest witnesses warned that a presidentially appointed strategic minerals reserve with $2.5 billion and board autonomy risks conflicts of interest without stronger auditing, disclosure and public‑meeting requirements; industry witnesses said the reserve would provide market certainty and offtake that attract private capital.
Ranking Member Ansari opened sharply, saying she supported securing critical minerals but worried the administration’s approach “hands this administration even more tools to enrich themselves and their allies.” She flagged the Secure Minerals Act’s proposed strategic resilience reserve as especially vulnerable to abuse unless Congress adds clear auditing, disclosure and removal authorities.
Public Citizen’s Chelsea Hodgkins testified that the reserve, as…
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