The Chairman’s Mark requires the release of the Department of War’s assessment of vulnerabilities in the primary aluminum industrial base to congressional defense committees. This is a critical step toward transparency about the national security risks associated with America's reliance on foreign aluminum supplies. The Chairman’s Mark also ensures greater visibility for policymakers through a briefing for congressional defense committees on the assessment's findings, which include recommendations for increasing both primary and recycled domestic aluminum production.

Aluminum is an essential component of the defense industrial base, used in many defense applications from aircraft to armored vehicles to munitions. And yet America still relies heavily on foreign sources for its aluminum supplies, exposing our country to supply shocks and geopolitical risk.

By elevating this issue within the FY27 NDAA, the Committee has taken on the important task of helping policymakers evaluate our capacity to supply our own metals and critical materials, which we hope will lead to smart policy action from Congress.

We thank Chairman Mike Rogers, Ranking Member Adam Smith, and the other members of the Committee for their leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as the FY27 NDAA moves forward.  

‍Forging the Future is a nonpartisan coalition of organizations, companies, and associations committed to bipartisan federal action to strengthen and expand the foundation of America’s defense industrial base. We advocate for policies that strengthen the global competitiveness of U.S. aluminum, iron, steel and other critical materials and minerals — while restoring and growing America’s workforce. Members include the American Council for Capital Formation, SAFE, ClearPath, The Aluminum Association, and Electra. For more information, contact Biz Rasich at press@forgingthefutureusa.com.