Democrats Urge Increased Federal Funding for Rare Earth Elements Critical to Clean Energy and Defense Applications

The top Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, has urged the Biden administration to increase federal funding for rare earth elements, a key ingredient in wind turbines, electric vehicles, and defense applications. Krishnamooorthi and Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor, both Democrats, have called on Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to prioritize projects for processing rare earths and pointed out that $150 million in federal funding was announced last year for critical minerals generally. The funding is tied to the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.