Senate panel backs export control, critical mineral bills targeting China

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday approved bipartisan bills calling for new export controls on China and Russia and enhanced multilateral efforts on critical minerals, both part of a slate of legislation aimed at containing the two governments’ geopolitical influence -- with a particular focus on defending Ukraine and Taiwan. Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), chair and ranking member of the foreign relations panel, announced the moves in a joint Oct. 22 statement following a closed-door...