Highs and Lows: Bolstering our Critical Minerals Supply Chain

To tee up my high, let me first start with my low this week. China has spent decades building a strategic advantage in critical mineral production and processing. These minerals are essential for all kinds of things—including our defense systems, advanced technologies, computer chips, and more. Today, the PRC supplies about 90% of the world’s rare earths, thus commanding the supply chain. And over the past year especially, China has demonstrated a clear willingness to weaponize its dominance as a coercive tool—threatening our economic and national security. The high, however, shows how Utah is playing a key role in bringing these capabilities back to America. Today, I joined an event announcing a new processing facility for one of these critical minerals—antimony—right here in Cedar City! This facility is both a testament to Utah’s preeminent capabilities and a decisive step toward securing a safe and reliable critical mineral supply chain. Another high was passing a resolution to withhold senators’ pay during a government shutdown. This is only fair, and something I’ve long fought for and practiced in Washington. Have a great weekend. Read Newsletter