[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2331. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 2137 proposed by Mr. Schumer (for Ms. Sinema 
(for herself, Mr. Portman, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Cassidy, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. 
Collins, Mr. Tester, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Romney)) to the 
bill H.R. 3684, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway 
safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 1318, line 3, strike ``The term'' and insert 
     ``Except as otherwise expressly provided, the term''.

       On page 1420, beginning on line 15, strike ``In this'' and 
     all that follows through ``section'' on line 16, and insert 
     ``Except as otherwise expressly provided, in this section''.

       On page 1426, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
       (h) National Blockchain Implementation Policy Program.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Critical mineral.--The term ``critical mineral'' has 
     the meaning given the term in Executive Order 13817 (30 
     U.S.C. 1601 note; relating to a Federal strategy to ensure 
     secure and reliable supplies of critical minerals).
       (B) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy 
     Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
       (C) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the National 
     Blockchain Implementation Policy Program established by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (2)(A).
       (D) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Commerce.
       (2) Program.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish in the 
     Department of Commerce a program to be known as the National 
     Blockchain Implementation Policy Program.
       (B) Requirements.--In carrying out the Program, the 
     Secretary, acting in coordination with such Federal agencies, 
     advisory councils, working groups, and subcommittees as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, shall--
       (i) establish the goals, priorities, and metrics for a 5-
     year plan to accelerate the development of blockchain 
     technology, and the applications for blockchain technology, 
     in the United States;
       (ii) monitor global regulatory developments to--

       (I) assess the competitiveness of the United States with 
     respect to the supply chain of critical minerals; and
       (II) develop policy solutions in the United States with 
     respect to the supply chain of critical minerals;

       (iii) in order to achieve the purposes described in clause 
     (i), pursue fundamental research, development, demonstration, 
     and other activities with respect to blockchain technology;
       (iv) invest in activities to develop a blockchain 
     technology workforce pipeline;
       (v) provide for interagency planning and coordination of 
     research, development, demonstration, standards engagement, 
     and other activities with respect to blockchain technology;
       (vi) partner with private industry, institutions of higher 
     education, and the National Laboratories to leverage 
     knowledge and resources with respect to blockchain 
     technology; and
       (vii) leverage Federal investments regarding blockchain 
     technology that are in existence, as of the date on which the 
     Program is established, to advance the goals of the Program, 
     including the purposes described in clause (i).
                                 ______