S.Amdt. 6479

This amendment, submitted by Mrs. Shaheen, aims to add a new section to bill S. 4784 focused on the Lobito Corridor, which is the railway connecting Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola. The purpose is to establish official reporting and strategic planning regarding United States investment in the rehabilitation of this corridor to move critical minerals.

Key changes and additions include:

• Regular Reporting: The President must provide annual reports to Congress until 2031. These reports must detail the progress of the infrastructure project, the amount and source of funds used, foreign assistance provided, and how these investments benefit both the United States and the involved countries.

• Strategic Oversight: The reports must include an assessment of national security implications, a review of how the People's Republic of China's projects may impede U.S. goals, and a list of government engagements with the three involved nations.

• Critical Minerals Strategy: Every two years, the Secretary of State must submit a strategy regarding the responsible sourcing, mining, refining, processing, and tracing of critical minerals.

• Competition and Safeguards: The strategy must include plans for offtake agreements to ensure minerals reach the U.S. and include safeguards to reduce the reliance of these countries on adversaries like the People's Republic of China. It also requires measures to address labor violations, corruption, and environmental degradation.