Sánchez opening statement at hearing on critical resources, supply chains

September 2, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the full committee hearing on “Strategic Partnerships to Secure Critical Resources and Supply Chains.” Video of her opening statement is available HERE and the text follows: “Thank you, Chairman Smith. I’d like to begin this morning by congratulating Ranking Member Richie Neal on his primary victory last night. We look forward to serving with him in his next term. I also want to thank the witnesses for joining us today. Critical minerals are a timely and important topic. But we really need to put this hearing into perspective. Americans’ pocketbooks are feeling the squeeze, thanks to Trump’s nonsensical war with Iran and his disastrous economic policies. Gas is up 38% in just six months. Beef prices are up nearly 10% just this year. And meanwhile, Trump is doubling down on his illegal tariffs, even after his Supreme Court defeat and starting a self-defeating trade war with Canada. Instead of stroking his own ego and renaming lakes, Trump should listen to what’s worrying American households. Though despicable, the president’s actions are not surprising. What is disheartening, however, is the silence from congressional Republicans, which allows this circus to continue. With Congress stepping back, shady backroom deals have become a defining feature of this administration. Just this week, we learned of a murky oil deal the president struck with Venezuela. Meanwhile, the American people are kept in the dark because Republicans don’t want us asking “Who really profits from this chaos?” To answer that, one needs to look no further than President Trump’s critical minerals agenda. Let me be clear: Ways and Means Democrats have long supported strengthening U.S. critical minerals supply chains. We need to invest in clean energy and technology, create good-paying American jobs and reduce our reliance on China. That is not where we disagree. The issue is how we get there and who gets rich along the way. Democrats will not turn a blind eye to the Trump administration’s corrupt conduct. For example: The New York Times found that 14 companies tied to Trump cabinet officials’ families are seeking or receiving nearly $9 billion in federal support, including a lucrative critical minerals project in Kazakhstan. Another example is Vulcan Elements. Donald Trump Jr.’s investment firm took a stake in the company and, just months later, the Pentagon announced a $620 million loan to Vulcan, followed by another $50 million in federal support. ProPublica reported that the loan process was accelerated after the White House intervened on the company’s behalf. Then there is USA Rare Earth. With Cantor Fitzgerald as its lead placement agent, the company raised $1.5 billion in private capital while seeking an equity stake and $1.6 billion gift from Commerce. And who leads Cantor Fitzgerald? Secretary Lutnick’s sons. These cases demand answers. We are not talking about pocket change—we’re talking about hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars that are on the line. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is weakening oversight at institutions like EXIM and DFC, laying the groundwork for politically connected insiders to profit at the public’s expense. Competition with China is no excuse for abandoning safeguards which prevent taxpayer funds from being misused for private enrichment. We also cannot say that because China is a strategic competitor, every mining deal is automatically a good deal. Securing our supply chains does not mean we have to sacrifice labor rights, human rights or environmental protections. [America] can compete with China and uphold democratic values. We can secure critical minerals and create jobs for American workers. We can also build supply chains without recreating the exploitative systems that have historically defined global mining. Congress has a duty to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are invested in projects that serve the national interests. The resources of the United States government belong to the American people — not to the president’s family, not to cabinet officials’ families nor to their business associates. So, I challenge my Republican colleagues: Do not waste this hearing by digging for fool’s gold while real conflicts of interest stare us in the face. And with that I yield back.” ### Issues : National Security and Foreign Policy Tax Policy