S.Amdt. 6681

SA 6681, submitted by Mr. Hickenlooper and Mr. Tillis, aims to add a new section to bill S. 4784. Its purpose is to require the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to Congress regarding critical defense mineral requirements and the resiliency of the munitions supply chain.

Purpose and Changes

The amendment adds Section 1050, which mandates a report within 180 days of the Act's enactment. This report must assess:

• Mineral Requirements: The materials needed to replenish munitions spent in U.S. Central Command operations since February 2026 and requirements for various Indo-Pacific contingency scenarios. It must also estimate how long current stockpiles can sustain production before surge production from the U.S. or allies is needed.

• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: A map of sole-source or near-sole-source chokepoints, specifically those controlled by the People's Republic of China or other U.S. adversaries.

• Stockpile Alignment: An analysis of the National Defense Stockpile to see if it matches mineral requirements, whether minerals are in usable forms, and if any requirements for programs in development are missing.

• Production Details: A crosswalk of materials needed for munitions and interceptors and a prioritized list of the 10 most significant bottlenecks.

• Recommendations: Suggestions for closing gaps through appropriations or legislation, agreements with allies to ensure supply, and a plan for a standing analytic capability within the Department of Defense to manage mineral demand and acquisition decisions.