[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3452-S3454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6325. Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Scott
of South Carolina) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
her to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of title XII, add the following:
Subtitle F--Critical Mineral Mining Education
SEC. 1271. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Critical Mineral Mining
Education Act of 2026''.
SEC. 1272. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States mining industry and, more broadly,
mining and mineral processing and refining, is widely
reported as facing a significant personnel shortage.
(2) This shortage is driven by an aging workforce,
declining numbers of graduates entering mining careers, and
difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers.
(3) Fifty percent of the current mining workforce is
expected to retire within the next 5 years.
(4) As of 2023, only 14 United States universities and
colleges had mining and mining engineer programs.
(5) Downstream segments, such as ore processing, refining,
and metallurgy, are affected by the same workforce trends.
(6) Institutions and personnel from allied countries with
mining expertise can share their knowledge and experience
with the United States workforce through education exchange
programs.
SEC. 1273. DEFINITIONS.
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961
(Public Law 87-256; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 101 the following:
``SEC. 101A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this Act:
``(1) Advanced degree.--The term `advanced degree' means a
degree from an institution of higher education that is a
master's or doctoral degree.
``(2) Critical mineral.--The term `critical mineral'--
``(A) has the meaning given such term in section 7002(a)(3)
of the Energy Act of 2020 (division Z of Public Law 116-260;
30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3)); and
``(B) includes gold, and copper, and any other mineral or
mineral material the Secretary of State determines--
``(i) to be essential to the economic or national security
of the United States; and
``(ii) has a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.
``(3) Excess foreign currencies.--The term `excess foreign
currencies' means foreign currencies, which, if acquired by
the United States--
``(A) would be in excess of the normal requirements of
departments, agencies, and embassies of the United States for
such currencies, as determined by the President; and
``(B) would be available for the use of the United States
Government under applicable agreements with the foreign
country concerned.
``(4) Federal employee.--The term `Federal employee'--
``(A) means any employee described in subparagraphs (A)
through (F) of section 7342(a)(1) of title 5, United States
Code; and
``(B) does not include a person described in subparagraph
(G) of such section.
``(5) Government-sponsored international exchanges and
training.--The term `Government-sponsored international
exchanges and training' means the movement of people between
countries, financed wholly or in part with United States
Government funds--
``(A) to promote the sharing of ideas;
``(B) to develop skills; and
``(C) to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
``(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
``(7) Historically black college and university.--The term
`historically Black college and university' has the meaning
given the term `part B institution' in section 322(2) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)).
``(8) Mining education program.--The term `Mining Education
Program' means an academic program related to the mining
industry.
``(9) Mining industry.--The term `mining industry' means
the mining industry of the United States, which consists of
activities related to naturally occurring metal and nonmetal
critical minerals, including--
``(A) geological mapping, geophysical surveying,
geochemical sampling, and management of geological data;
``(B) mineral system analysis, exploration, and resource
delineation, including exploratory drilling and resource
estimation and classification;
``(C) project development, feasibility studies, financing,
and permitting;
``(D) mine construction, extraction, and operational
support activities;
``(E) mineral processing, beneficiation, smelting,
refining, chemical conversion, and separation;
``(F) material conversion and advanced materials
manufacturing;
``(G) transportation, logistics, and handling of
intermediate and finished material products; and
``(H) reclamation, remediation, reuse, recycling, and
recovery of materials from primary and secondary sources,
including mine waste and end-of-life products.
``(10) Mining profession.--The term `mining profession'
means the body of jobs directly related to the mining
industry.
``(11) Minority serving institution.--The term `minority-
serving institution' means an eligible institution under
section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)).''.
SEC. 1274. CRITICAL MINERAL MINING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961,
as amended by section 3, is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 116. CRITICAL MINERAL MINING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be established
the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program (referred to
in this section as the `Fellowship Program') within the J.
William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Fellowship Program
are--
``(1) to advance foreign policy priorities of the United
States by promoting studies, research, and international
exchange in the mining industry;
``(2) to send United States students to mining institutions
abroad to build the capacity of the United States mining
workforce;
``(3) to develop a robust and skilled workforce that can
support and fill the gaps of the United States growing
domestic critical mineral supply chain; and
``(4) to reduce dependency on foreign energy and critical
mineral supplies and enhance competitiveness of the United
States within the global critical mineral marketplace.
``(c) Administration.--The Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs of the Department of State (referred to in
this section as the `Bureau') shall administer the Fellowship
Program in accordance with policy guidelines established by
the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (referred to in this
section as the `Board'), in consultation with binational
Fulbright Commissions, mining industry leaders, institutions
of higher education, foreign governments, and United States
embassies in eligible countries.
``(d) Selection of Fellows.--
``(1) In general.--The Bureau shall determine the number of
fellows selected for the Fellowship Program each year. The
Board shall select qualified individuals to participate in
the Fellowship Program. In selecting the fellows, the Board
should ensure geographic representation to ensure region-
specific specialties are developed.
``(2) Criteria.--All fellows shall meet one of the
following criteria:
``(A) Have a bachelor's or equivalent degree conferred
before participating in the Fellowship Program.
``(B) Be a student who is currently enrolled in a United
States institution of higher education and completing an
advanced degree in the field of science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics or a field related to the mining
industry.
``(C) Have had a postdoctoral degree conferred during the
5-year period immediately preceding participation in the
Fellowship Program.
``(3) Required intent.--Upon completing the Fellowship
Program, each fellow shall demonstrate his or her intent to
seek employment in a mining profession that directly benefits
the growth, progress, and development of the United States
mining industry--
``(A) in the United States Government; or
``(B) at a United States-based nongovernmental
organization, academic institution, private sector company,
or other organization that has been approved by the Bureau.
``(4) Eligible universities.--United States students shall
attend universities approved by the Bureau, in consultation
with the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives,
that have a mining education program and are located in a
foreign country. To the extent practicable, the Bureau should
prioritize enrollment in higher education mining programs
in--
``(A) member countries in the Minerals Security
Partnership; or
``(B) any additional countries identified by the Bureau, in
consultation with the congressional committees referred to in
this paragraph, as containing sufficiently qualified mining
programs.
``(5) Outreach.--To the extent practicable, the Bureau
shall conduct outreach at United States undergraduate and
graduate institutions the Bureau determines are likely to
[[Page S3453]]
produce a range of qualified applicants to be sent abroad.
``(e) Structure.--
``(1) Work plan.--To carry out the purposes described in
subsection (b)--
``(A) each fellow selected pursuant to subsection (d)(1)
shall be encouraged to arrange placement in a mining
education program at an eligible foreign university;
``(B) each fellow shall--
``(i) participate in advanced coursework, research
projects, and practical training opportunities, including
internships, offered by the host institution;
``(ii) engage with faculty advisors and industry partners
to gain hands-on experience through internships, laboratory
work, and field studies relevant to the mining industry;
``(iii) serve as a cultural and academic ambassador of the
United States by fostering mutual understanding within the
host country's academic and professional mining community;
``(iv) participate in professional development activities,
such as conferences, workshops, and seminars, to expand
knowledge of global best practices in mining engineering and
related fields; and
``(v) build and strengthen networks with international
peers, faculty, and industry professionals to facilitate
ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange; and
``(C) the Bureau shall, for each fellow, approve a work
plan that identifies the target objectives for the fellow,
including specific duties and responsibilities relating to
such objectives.
``(2) Fellowship period.--
``(A) In general.--Each fellowship under this section shall
continue for a period determined by the Bureau, which,
whenever feasible, shall not be shorter than 1 year.
``(B) Renewal.--The Bureau may grant a renewal for a second
year, in consultation with the relevant United States embassy
or Fulbright Commission.
``(f) Fellowship Award.--The Bureau shall provide each
fellow under this section with an allowance equal to the
amount needed for the fellow's reasonable costs during the
fellowship period, including--
``(1) mandatory university fees, including tuition,
associated with his or her studies;
``(2) living expenses, including housing, basic food costs,
and daily transportation;
``(3) essential textbooks and other academic materials;
``(4) mandatory visa application, immigration fees, and
other essential pre-departure requirements;
``(5) relocation expenses, including travel by air or by
rail;
``(6) a research allowance, including essential travel to
field sites and laboratory work; and
``(7) other reasonable costs approved by the Bureau.
``(g) Annual Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the
completion of the Fellowship Program by the initial cohort of
fellows selected pursuant to subsection (d), and annually
thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
that includes information regarding the implementation of the
Fellowship Program, including--
``(1) the demographics and geographical origins of the
cohort of fellows who completed a fellowship during the
reporting period;
``(2) a description of academic placements selected and
their relation to the development of the United States
region-specific specialties under the Fellowship Program,
including participant feedback on program implementation and
lessons learned; and
``(3) a plan for factoring lessons learned and acquired
skills based knowledge into future programming.''.
SEC. 1275. CRITICAL MINERAL MINING EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE ACT
OF 2025.
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961,
as amended by sections 3 and 4, is further amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 117. VISITING MINING SCHOLARS PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be established
the Visiting Mining Scholars Program (referred to in this
section as the `Visiting Scholars Program') within the J.
William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program.
``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Visiting Scholars
Program is to bring mining academics and professionals to the
United States--
``(1) to build and expand United States mining education
programs at institutions of higher education;
``(2) to bolster workforce development programs; and
``(3) to advance research and development initiatives in
the mining industry and adjacent fields.
``(c) Administration.--The Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs of the Department of State (referred to in
this section as the `Bureau') shall administer the Visiting
Scholars Program in accordance with policy guidelines
established by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
(referred to in this section as the `Board'), in consultation
with binational Fulbright Commissions, mining industry
leaders, institutions of higher education, foreign
governments, and United States embassies in eligible
countries.
``(d) Selection of Visiting Mining Scholars.--
``(1) In general.--The Board shall select qualified
individuals to participate in the Visiting Scholars Program,
who shall be foreign nationals who are currently employed--
``(A) outside of the United States as mining professionals,
practitioners, or operators; or
``(B) as academics working at institutions of higher
education in foreign countries with mining education programs
approved by a Fulbright Commission or United States embassy,
in consultation with the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives.
``(2) Number of fellows.--The Bureau may determine the
number of fellows selected each year, which, whenever
feasible, shall not be fewer than 10.
``(3) Eligibility criteria.--Each visiting mining scholar
shall be a foreign national of a country--
``(A) in which an existing Fulbright Foreign Student
Program operates; and
``(B) that has expertise, specialized knowledge, or engages
in practices that could benefit the United States mining
industry.
``(4) Preferred countries.--To the extent practicable, the
Bureau shall prioritize the selection of visiting mining
scholars who live or work in--
``(A) a Member country in the Minerals Security
Partnership; or
``(B) any additional country identified by the Bureau, in
consultation with the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives, as containing individuals who have academic
expertise, specialized knowledge, or engage in practices that
could benefit the United States mining industry.
``(5) Outreach.--To the extent practicable, the Bureau
shall conduct outreach in coordination with appropriate
United States embassies, mining industry leaders, and mining
institutions abroad that are likely to produce a range of
qualified applicants to come to the United States.
``(e) Structure.--
``(1) Work plan.--To carry out the purposes described in
subsection (b)--
``(A) each individual selected pursuant to subsection
(d)(1) who is coming to the United States as a visiting
mining scholar--
``(i) shall arrange placement in a United States academic
institution approved by the Bureau; and
``(ii) should--
``(I) consult with faculty members to provide technical
assistance on how to develop or expand a mining education
program at the host institution of higher education;
``(II) assist in the development and review of mining
education curricula, including course syllabi, laboratory
modules, and fieldwork components;
``(III) participate in collaborative research projects with
faculty, students, and third-party research institutions
focusing on innovative mining technologies, sustainable
mining practices, and resource management;
``(IV) facilitate partnerships between the host institution
and mining organizations, government agencies, and other
institutions to foster academic exchange, research
collaboration, and workforce development;
``(V) mentor undergraduate and graduate students interested
in mining education, offering guidance on academic projects
and career development; and
``(VI) contribute to the development of outreach programs
aimed at increasing awareness of the mining industry as a
career path and to increase awareness of the types of mining
professions available; and
``(B) the Bureau shall approve a work plan for each scholar
that identifies the target objectives for the scholar,
including specific duties and responsibilities relating to
such objectives.
``(2) Eligible united states institutions.--Visiting mining
scholars shall be placed in an institution of higher
education approved by the Bureau that--
``(A) demonstrates a commitment to developing or expanding
academic programs in the mining industry;
``(B) possesses existing faculty expertise or research
activity in the mining industry or related extractive fields;
``(C) provides institutional support and resources, such as
laboratory facilities, field sites, or equipment, relevant to
mining education and research, including in geology;
``(D) demonstrates a commitment to integrate the visiting
scholar into curriculum development, faculty training, or
workforce pipeline initiatives in mining;
``(E) demonstrates a plan for sustaining mining or critical
mineral resources programs beyond the duration of the
visiting scholar's placement;
``(F) shows evidence of student interest or regional
workforce demand for mining education programs or training;
and
``(G) agrees to provide mentoring, administrative support,
and opportunities for the visiting scholar to engage with
students, faculty, and local industry.
``(3) Scholarship period.--
``(A) In general.--Each scholarship awarded under this
section shall continue for a period determined by the Bureau,
which, whenever feasible, shall not be longer than 1 year and
not shorter than 3 months.
``(B) Exceptions.--Any request for an exception to the
duration of the scholarship period described in subparagraph
(A) shall be submitted by the visiting mining scholar and
approved by the Bureau before such exception takes effect.
[[Page S3454]]
``(f) Scholarship Award.--The Bureau shall provide each
visiting mining scholar under this section with an allowance
to cover the scholar's reasonable costs of living during the
scholarship period.
``(g) Annual Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the
completion of the Visiting Scholars Program by the initial
cohort of scholars selected pursuant to subsection (d)(1),
and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit
a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives that includes information on the
implementation of the Visiting Scholars Program, including--
``(1) the demographics and geographical origins of the
cohort of scholars who completed a Visiting Scholars Program
during the reporting period;
``(2) the United States universities at which visiting
scholars were placed;
``(3) the foreign universities or other post-graduate
institutions from which the cohort of visiting scholars were
chosen;
``(4) a description of academic placements selected under
the Visiting Scholars Program, including participant feedback
on program implementation and lessons learned; and
``(5) a plan for factoring lessons learned into future
programming.''.
SEC. 1276. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO THE MUTUAL
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE ACT OF 1961.
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961
(Public Law 87-256; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 104(g) (22 U.S.C. 2454(g)), by striking
paragraph (5);
(2) in section 108A(a) (22 U.S.C. 2458a(a))--
(A) by striking ``(1)'' before Congress;
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as
paragraph (1), (2), and (3), respectively;
(3) in section 112 (22 U.S.C. 2460)--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(ii) in the first paragraph designated as paragraph (10),
by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(iii) in the second paragraph designated as paragraph
(10)--
(I) by striking ``(10)'' and inserting ``(11)''; and
(II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program
established pursuant to section 116, which provides funding
for studies, research, and international exchange for
students seeking to complete degrees from institutions of
higher education in self-arranged placements with
universities with mining education programs in foreign
countries; and
``(13) the Visiting Mining Scholars Program established
pursuant to section 117, which provides funding for
international mining academics, practitioners, professionals
and operators in self-arranged placements with universities
in the United States.''; and
(B) in subsection (g)--
(i) by striking paragraph (2);
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (11) as
paragraphs (2) through (10), respectively; and
(iii) in paragraph (10), as redesignated, by striking
``paragraph (6)'' and inserting ``paragraph (5)''; and
(4) in section 115(d)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2465(d)(2))--
(A) by striking subparagraph (B);
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``(A) In general.--''; and
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs
(A) and (B), and moving such clauses 2 ems to the left.
SEC. 1277. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of
State $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through
2035 for the purpose of carrying out the Critical Mineral
Mining Fellowship Program and the Visiting Mining Scholars
Program established pursuant to sections 116 and 117 of the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as
added by sections 1274 and 1275.
SEC. 1278. SUNSET.
This subtitle, and the amendments made by this subtitle,
shall cease to have effect beginning on the date that is 10
years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
______