When will we leverage our above-ground mine?

Critical minerals policies need a fast and effective overhaul to boost domestic supply.

Everyone in Washington knows the score: America’s rare earth supply chain runs straight through China. It’s one of the few issues before Congress that enjoys bipartisan support. But most of the solutions on the table remain shortsighted, dominated by two false binaries: Mine more at home or buy more from allies abroad. And yet, the most immediate solution is one barely being discussed.