Representative Young Kim (R-CA) and Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced the DOMINANCE Act on January 13, 2026, legislation aimed at reducing U.S. Reliance on China for critical minerals, according to a press release from Representative Kim’s office.
The bill seeks to bolster American supply chains for materials essential to both defense and technology sectors. Specifically, it targets vulnerabilities related to rare earth elements, a group of 17 metals crucial for manufacturing a wide range of products, including jet engines, semiconductors, and electric vehicle components. Recent reports indicate that U.S. Suppliers to the aerospace and chip-making industries are experiencing increasing shortages of specific rare earths, notably yttrium, and scandium.
The DOMINANCE Act proposes a strategy of diversifying supply chains through collaboration with allies and partners. Representative Bera stated, “We cannot let China weaponize its chokehold over critical minerals against the United States and our allies,” emphasizing the national security implications of the current dependence. The legislation’s approach is described as “thoughtful” by its sponsors, suggesting a focus on building resilient networks rather than solely focusing on domestic production.
China currently maintains a dominant position in the processing and supply of many rare earth elements. This control extends beyond rare earths to other key industries, including lithium-ion batteries, mature chips, and pharmaceutical ingredients, giving Beijing significant leverage. In 2022, Chinese state media published a list of 35 technologies identified as critical areas where the country needed to reduce its dependence on foreign sources, a policy referred to internally as “chokepoints” or “chokeholds” (ka bozi).
The legislation comes as concerns grow over China’s potential to restrict access to these vital materials as a form of economic coercion. Analysts at the Center for New American Security (CNAS) have argued that countering China’s weaponization of rare earth supply chains requires both technological innovation and coordinated action with international partners. Even as some have advocated for tariffs as a tool to address the imbalance, the DOMINANCE Act appears to prioritize a more collaborative approach.
As of February 26, 2026, the DOMINANCE Act has been referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. No further legislative action has been publicly announced.
