Bill · S. 3612· Senate(119-S-3612)
Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/12/2026
- Last activity
- 1/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Jacky Rosen
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes two new educational exchange programs focused on domestic mining education and critical minerals. It creates the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program to send United States students to study mining at foreign universities. It also creates the Visiting Mining Scholars Program to bring foreign mining experts and academics to United States universities. The programs are administered through the Department of State and the Fulbright Educational Exchange Program. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2035 to carry out these programs. Finally, the legislation includes a sunset provision terminating the Act and its amendments 10 years after enactment.
Yes· 3 of 14
Would students be better off under this?+5
Students receive substantial financial support, international study opportunities, and mentorship from visiting global experts.
Does this make college cost less?+5
The legislation provides robust fellowships covering university fees, living expenses, and research costs for students studying mining.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+4
Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing mining and STEM careers benefit directly from fellowship funding opportunities.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The legislation authorizes $10,000,000 in appropriations annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2035.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The legislation authorizes new federal expenditures for educational exchange programs over a 10-year period.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Under Section 4, the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program provides funding for United States students to cover mandatory university fees, living expenses, textbooks, visas, relocation, and research costs while studying mining abroad. This benefits individuals pursuing mining careers by providing financial support for their education and training.
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Under Section 5, the Visiting Mining Scholars Program brings foreign mining academics and professionals to United States institutions of higher education. This benefits students and faculty at United States universities by providing mentorship, curriculum development, and collaborative research opportunities in mining and critical minerals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Under Section 7, the bill authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2035 to fund the fellowship and scholar programs. This creates a financial burden on United States taxpayers by committing federal funds to these specific educational exchange programs over a 10-year period.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5Good For Young Adults+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Union Workers+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+5Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+4Improves Diplomatic Engagement+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-2
- 1/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina