Rosen, Curtis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. Critical Mineral Mining Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Curtis (R-UT), along with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC), introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen American STEM education and build a workforce pipeline to support our growing domestic critical mineral mining industry through the creation of a mining Fulbright exchange program. The bipartisan Critical Mineral Mining Education Act will also enable the U.S. to better compete with China in the critical mineral sector.

China has dominated the global critical mineral supply chain for the last three decades, and U.S. efforts to compete have been complicated by a shrinking and aging mining workforce. Strengthening workforce education programs in the critical mineral mining industry through the new exchange program the bill creates will help prepare Nevadans for good-paying mining jobs in the growing critical mineral field and bolster American critical mineral production to combat China's mineral dominance and economic coercion on the global stage.

"Nevada is a national leader in mining and critical mineral production, and supporting this industry will help grow Nevada's economy," said Senator Rosen. "We need to ensure we have the workers with the training and experience ready to fill good-paying mining jobs in our state. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to help build the pipeline that will train our workers, bolster our economic and national security, and level the playing field with China all along the critical mineral supply chain.

"China has spent decades building a strategic advantage in critical minerals. If the United States wants to outpace China, we must take the long view, starting with how we educate, train, and empower the next generation," said Senator Curtis. "Utah students are already leading the way, and with this legislation, we're doubling down on mining education that strengthens not just our economic competitiveness, but our national security."

"Access to critical minerals is crucial to our national security, supply chains, and overall economy. We must do more to boost this sector to ensure we can compete with China and other adversaries," said Senator Kaine. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to grow and strengthen our critical minerals workforce."

"By partnering with our allies to develop American talent in critical mining sectors, we are building the workforce needed to secure American access to critical minerals essential to defense, energy, and economic growth," said Senator Scott. "The Critical Mineral Mining Education Act takes a targeted, practical approach to closing workforce gaps by training U.S. students in advanced mining, processing, and refining while bringing global experts into American universities."

"The Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026 represents a constructive step toward addressing workforce and education needs in an industry that is increasingly important to Nevada and the nation," said University of Nevada President Brian Sandoval. "For the University of Nevada, expanding opportunities for students and researchers to engage in mining and critical minerals education helps inform sound policy and supports long-term workforce capacity. I am grateful to Senator Jacky Rosen for her continued focus on education, workforce development, and responsible resource policy, and I thank her for her leadership in advancing this discussion."

"The Fulbright program is critical to advancing U.S. national and economic interests - domestically and abroad. IIE is proud to support the Critical Mineral Mining Education Act, which will harness Fulbright's global exchange network to strengthen domestic mining education and develop the skilled workforce essential to resilient, secure U.S. mineral supply chains," said Jason Czyz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Education (IIE).

"The American Critical Minerals Association applauds Senator Rosen, Senator Curtis, Representative Olszewski, Representative Huizenga and Representative Kim on the introduction of the Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026. As the U.S. continues to invest in critical minerals projects, we must advance policies that will support growth and certainty for the sector and ensure a sophisticated and robust workforce to support those efforts," said the American Critical Minerals Association (ACMA). "This requires a focus on recruiting, training and preparing our workforce for careers in the production, processing, and recycling of minerals. The Department of Energy states that the future of the 'critical minerals and materials economy will require thousands of workers spanning all levels of operation.' To grow the critical minerals sector, we must be strategic and forward thinking in growing a domestic workforce that possesses the highly specialized skills and knowledge required for the production and processing of critical minerals and materials. The Critical Mineral Mining Education Act creates a pathway for fostering collaboration with our allies and ensuring opportunities for American students to benefit from the expertise of critical minerals experts across the globe. We applaud this effort and urge Congress to pass the Critical Mineral Mining Education Act."

Senator Rosen has been a leader in supporting Nevada's growing critical mineral industry. She helped secure a provision in the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to grow the next generation of mining engineers, promote the use of critical minerals, and develop a secure and reliable supply chain. She has also supported multiple national designations for the University of Nevada, Reno, including as a Regional Tech and Innovation Hub for innovation and job creation in the lithium supply chain.

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