Congressmen Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) Introduce the RARE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressmen Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) have introduced legislation to reduce America's dependence on China for rare earth minerals used in technology manufacturing. The Reclaiming American Rare Earths (RARE) Act would establish tax incentives for the domestic production of rare earth elements and minerals used to build the technology that keeps our country safe and connected.

This legislation is the House companion to similar legislation introduced by Senator Ted Cruz. It has already received widespread, bipartisan support from other Texas lawmakers, with five representatives signing on as cosponsors (see list below) and Senator Cruz expressing support for the bill.

The United States is more dependent than ever on the importation of the resources that drive our economy, enable us to build advanced technology, and ensure our national security. Thirty-five of these rare earth minerals are designated by the Department of Interior as 'critical', and we source fourteen of them entirely from foreign suppliers. China is a leading supplier for twenty-two of the thirty-five. The RARE Act is specifically designed to change that.

Congressman Gooden (R-TX): "A reliable supply of these materials is essential to American economic and security interests. We shouldn't have to rely on the Chinese Communist Party for our critical military and communications technology. Our future technological capacity will depend on our ability to cultivate an economic environment that is favorable to robust domestic production of these resources.

"By decreasing our dependence on China, the RARE Act would strengthen our national security, spur American innovation, grow our economy, and ensure the United States has the resource independence required to cement our leadership in technologies that define the 21st century."

Congressman Gonzalez (D-TX): "Ending our dependence on China starts today. The RARE Act will allow the United States to develop a reliable domestic supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements and eliminate this pressure point that could have lasting impacts on our national security and most importantly, our way of life."

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX): "Our dependence on China for access to rare earth elements is deeply troubling and endangers our ability as a nation to manufacture defense technologies and support our military. We must take an all of the above approach to ensuring the entire supply chain for rare earth elements and critical minerals is located in the United States, and I’m proud to lead this effort with Rep. Gooden."

List of Cosponsors
Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX-23)
Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX-25)
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX-22)
Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX-14)