H.R. 10346 · In committee · Foreign Trade and International Finance

Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act

Sponsor: Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)

What it does

• Requires the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to investigate alleged use of forced labor in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Mandates submission of strategies to Congress for preventing importation of cobalt mined using forced labor.
• Requires semiannual briefings to Congress on the investigation and enforcement efforts.
• Sunsets the requirement eight years after enactment or when the President certifies forced labor in DRC mining has ended, whichever is earlier.

Official summary

Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act This bill requires the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to complete and submit to Congress the results of an investigation into the alleged use of forced labor in the cobalt mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Specifically, the task force must (1) submit to Congress strategies for preventing the importation of cobalt mined using forced labor, and (2) provide semiannual briefings to Congress. This requirement ceases to have effect on the earlier of (1) eight years after the date of enactment, or (2) the date on which the President submits to Congress a determination that forced labor in the DRC mining industry has ended.

Latest action

Sep 16, 2026: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 8.

Committee: House Ways and Means