For Immediate ReleaseContact: Jessica LycosDate: June 9, 2021jessica.lycos@mail.house.gov

Prescott, AZ – Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after sending a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo seeking documents and background information on a secret meeting held earlier this year with foreign mining corporations.

Gosar Questions Biden’s Canada First Mining Policy

“Reports of a secret meeting in March hosted by high-ranking United States Department of Commerce officials to promote Canadian production of electric vehicles are deeply disturbing.   By favoring foreign production of critical minerals used in battery development, Mr. Biden has once again turned his back on our domestic mining industry and hard-working Americans.

Securing our critical minerals supply chain serves our domestic industries and national security.  Rather than expanding our reliance on foreign dependence, this Administration should be working to create American jobs and building domestic production.  

We know that we need these minerals to address supply chain challenges and rising demand and we also know that they should be sourced in the United States.  We have the best workforce and the strongest environmental protections.  

Today, I am demanding answers to what promises were made by Biden Administration officials to Canadians at the expense of the American worker and taxpayer,” concluded Rep. Gosar

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A copy of the letter Ranking Member Gosar sent to Secretary Raimondo can be found here. 

Background: The Biden Administration began meeting with Canadian officials in March 2021 to arrange for Canadian mining to displace new American mines in the supply chain for critical minerals and new renewable technology manufacturing.  

News reports on the meeting highlighted more that 30 attendees to discover ways to boost Canadian production of electric vehicle materials. Earlier this year, Ranking Member Gosar wrote an op-ed that highlighted this issue and the importance of critical minerals. In April, Rep. Gosar and other leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee sent a letter to the White House calling for more American mining.