S. 3164: To require a briefing on increasing procurement of strategic and critical materials from sources in the United States.

This bill, titled S. 3164, aims to increase the procurement of strategic and critical materials from sources within the United States. Here are the key points:

Purpose of the Bill

The primary goal of the bill is to require the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on how to enhance the procurement of essential materials domestically. This briefing must occur by March 1, 2026.

Key Components of the Briefing

The briefing must cover several important elements:

1. Identification of Materials:

   It must identify 10 strategic and critical materials that are part of the National Defense Stockpile. Additionally, it should include materials from which the Defense Department can increase procurement to bolster domestic production and reduce vulnerabilities in supply chains.

2. Recommended Procurement Amounts:

   The briefing should contain suggested or required quantities of each identified material to be procured from U.S. sources over a three-year period following the briefing.

3. Public Release of Information:

   A list of materials and target percentages for their procurement from U.S. sources should be created and made available to the public and appropriate industry sectors, as well as U.S. allies and partners.

4. Challenges in Procurement:

   The briefing must also identify any potential challenges that may arise in increasing U.S. procurement of these materials.

Definition of Strategic and Critical Materials

The bill defines "strategic and critical materials" as those specified under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, indicating that these materials have significant importance for national defense and security.

Public Transparency

To ensure transparency, the list detailing the materials and their respective procurement targets must be publicly accessible.

Expected Outcomes

By mandating this briefing, the bill seeks to inform Congress about the possibilities and plans for reducing reliance on foreign sources for vital materials needed for national security, thereby enhancing the domestic production capabilities.

Relevant Companies

None found