Eric Swalwell: “I would like to thank the ranking member for yielding me time. Madam Chair, I rise to object today to the consideration…”

“I would like to thank the ranking member for yielding me time. Madam Chair, I rise to object today to the consideration of this bill and rather propose that we stand in this House and we consider Mr. Hoyer's Make It In America package. We can come together and focus on real solutions that will get our economy moving again, and we should take up Mr. Hoyer's Make It In America package because it will strengthen our economy and create non-outsourceable jobs at home, here in America. The Make It In America package includes bills like mine, H.R. 1022, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act of 2013 that will help secure America's place as a leader in science and technology with a 21st century workforce. What are rare Earth elements? Well, these are 17 chemical elements-- elements that, prior to coming to Congress and learning about how they affect our economy, I couldn't point out at pistol point--that are very critical to making cell phones, to making our electric cars, and also to making our antimissile systems. Despite the name, they are very abundant in our country and they can be extracted in an environmentally safe manner. So what's the problem? Well, today, 97 percent of rare Earth elements are extracted and exported from China. Eighty percent of rare Earth magnets and almost 100 percent of related metal production are coming from China.…”