To impose sanctions with respect to any foreign person employing forced labor or child labor in the cobalt mining sector of a foreign country.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-05-07

The proposal would punish foreign companies and individuals that use forced labor or child labor to mine cobalt, a mineral used in batteries and electronics, by blocking them from doing business with the United States and freezing any assets they have in America. This would affect mining operations and companies that buy cobalt from suppliers using exploitative labor practices, potentially making electronics and battery manufacturers more careful about where they source their materials. The measure aims to discourage human rights abuses in cobalt mining, particularly in countries where such practices are common.