By Ernest Scheyder and Jarrett Renshaw
(Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump is set to slash some legal requirements, including congressional approval for larger projects, to help boost domestic production of critical minerals and weapons, according to a document seen by Reuters.
The document is expected to be published on the Federal Register on Wednesday, the government web site shows.
The action applies to the Defense Production Act, a U.S. law that grants the president broad emergency powers to control domestic industries and resources during national security emergencies.
Trump invoked the Korean War-era law in March to help boost domestic production of critical minerals, a critical industry dominated by Washington’s top economic rival China.
The law places some restrictions on the president’s authority, such as requiring the White House to seek congressional approval for projects over $50 million and forcing project delivery dates within a year time frame.
The president can waive those requirements in the event of an emergency and Trump is expected to invoke those powers, according to a document seen by Reuters.
President Joe Biden invoked similar waivers to speed up production of vaccines and medical equipment during the COVID pandemic.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting By Ernest Scheyder and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt and Chizu Nomiyama)
Donald Trump, congressional approval, critical minerals, domestic production
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