YourVoice.Now Summary
Transparency & AccountabilityOrders a study of child and forced labor in Congo's cobalt mines — the metal in phone and car batteries
Transparency & Accountability
A task force led by the Homeland Security Secretary would name Congo companies that may use forced labor for cobalt. It would also give Congress plans to keep that cobalt out of U.S. imports, including goods shipped through other countries.
The study duties and twice-a-year briefings stop after 8 years. They stop sooner if the President tells Congress that forced labor in Congo's mines has ended.
More about this bill
Nothing changes right away for shoppers or workers in the U.S. A federal task force would have 180 days to study child and forced labor in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Homeland Security Secretary leads this task force. Cobalt goes into the batteries in most phones, laptops, and electric cars. Federal law already bans imports made with forced labor, including forced child labor. The report to Congress would name DRC companies that may use forced labor to mine or process cobalt. It would list the kinds of products that should get extra checks at the border. It would also lay out plans to trace cobalt and to keep tainted cobalt from coming in through other countries. The task force would then brief Congress every six months. These duties end after 8 years, or sooner if the President tells Congress the forced labor has ended.
Congressional Summary
Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act This bill requires the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to complete and submit to Congress the results of an investigation into the alleged use of forced labor in the cobalt mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Specifically, the task force must (1) submit to Congress strategies for preventing the importation of cobalt mined using forced labor, and (2) provide semiannual briefings to Congress. This requirement ceases to have effect on the earlier of (1) eight years after the date of enactment, or (2) the date on which the President submits to Congress a determination that forced labor in the DRC mining industry has ended.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-09-10
- Date Added
- 2026-09-28
- Source
- Congress.gov →
Like reading a bill in plain English?
We're building an app that does this for every bill in Congress and lets you tell your reps how you want them to vote. We're a small team getting ready to launch, and we're trying to show investors that real people want this. Be one of them. Help us get it built. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment the app is ready.