Lizzie Fletcher

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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9617, the CHARM Act, bipartisan legislation led by our committee's Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Tonko and Chairman Palmer. Critical minerals are a vital component of many modern technologies, from our cell phones to clean energy technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles. As the world continues to invest in these technologies, the demand for these minerals will only increase. However, the United States is heavily reliant on imports for many critical materials, leaving us exposed to geopolitical supply chain risks. China currently possesses a stranglehold on much of the critical mineral supply chain and has already demonstrated a willingness to leverage this dominance by restricting exports to the United States and other countries. This poses serious economic and energy security risks. Critical mineral recovery offers a resourceful solution to this problem. Looking at discarded materials like e-waste and other end-of- life products promotes resource efficiency, boosts resiliency, helps alleviate supply chain pressures, and reduces the need to mine new minerals. This bipartisan bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a national critical mineral recovery strategy to coordinate Federal efforts to recover critical minerals from discarded materials, tapping into an important domestic feedstock that is easily overlooked. This strategy can help our Nation collect the information to bolster our domestic critical mineral supply chains. It will build on EPA's ongoing efforts under the bipartisan infrastructure law, without compromising the environment or public health. For too long, we have allowed valuable critical minerals to go to landfills, never to be recovered. This must change if we want to remain globally competitive and reduce our dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals. While there is much more work to do to scale our domestic recycling and recovery efforts, this is an important and commonsense step forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.