Critical Mineral Independence Act of 2023

This bill requires the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a strategy by 2024 to eliminate reliance on critical minerals (like those used in defense technology) sourced from "covered countries" (defined as strategic competitors like China) by 2035. The strategy must identify vulnerabilities in current supply chains, recommend policy changes to prioritize U.S. or allied mineral sources, and evaluate using the Defense Production Act to boost domestic and allied processing capacity. It directly affects DoD contractors and subcontractors who handle these minerals in defense supply chains. Key mechanisms include assessing supply chain risks, streamlining policies, and leveraging the National Defense Stockpile to build secure mineral networks. The goal is to enhance national security by reducing dependence on adversarial nations for essential materials.