Senators Coons, Braun discuss critical minerals supply chains at Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus meeting

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) yesterday hosted a Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus roundtable discussion featuring companies involved in the mining, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and materials that are essential to our emissions reductions, economic prosperity, and national security. The roundtable included representatives from Rio Tinto, Twin Metals, Redwood Materials, and BMO Capital Markets.

The caucus discussed topics such as the importance of various critical minerals for clean energy technologies and how the United States can build strong, secure critical minerals supply chains domestically and in partnership with allies.

“Securing America’s critical minerals supply chains will create good-paying jobs, bolster our national security, and drive us toward a clean energy future. It will also strengthen partnerships with key allies like Canada and the EU, and reduce our reliance on China and other competitors,” said Senator Coons. “As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, I’m glad to lead efforts with Co-Chair Braun to foster bipartisan conversations about how we shore up our critical minerals supply chains and work with our partners and allies in government and the private sector to diversify sustainable sources.”

“Yesterday we hosted a roundtable discussion about an important issue for strengthening American manufacturing and keeping jobs in America: our criticalminerals supply chain,” said Senator Braun.  

The Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus is a group of seven senators from both parties that promotes bipartisan discussion about climate policy and advocates for Congress to play a central role in addressing the challenge. Senators Coons and Braun are the caucus’ Co-Chairs. Since launching in late 2019, the caucus has held meetings with a variety of stakeholders to discuss their concerns and priorities for federal climate policy and opportunities for collaboration. For more about the caucus’ activities, please visit the caucus website here.