H.R. 10346, the Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act, advanced out of committee on September 16, 2026.
H.R. 10346 — Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult F…
What it does
This bill directs the federal government to investigate and enforce existing laws against importing cobalt mined using child or forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where China controls most mines and an estimated 40,000 children work in artisanal mining. The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force must develop a strategy within 180 days to trace cobalt's origin, identify companies using forced labor, and prevent such goods from entering the U.S. market, with semiannual progress reports to Congress for up to 8 years.
Quorum's transparency scan gave Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act a moderate transparency flag.
What happens next
H.R. 10346 advanced out of committee. Next stop: a floor vote.
Who is behind it
Filed by Chris Smith.
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