ICYMI: Rep. Stevens Leads Bill to Protect Michigan Manufacturing, Strengthen Supply Chains, and Crack Down on China

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens last week introduced the Secure Aluminum Supply Chains Act, legislation to prevent China from using American scrap aluminum to undercut U.S. manufacturers and threaten critical supply chains.

Michigan's automotive, aerospace, and defense industries rely on scrap aluminum, yet large volumes are exported overseas, including to China. Stevens' bill would direct the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate U.S. scrap aluminum exports to China and other countries of concern, helping Congress protect American jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and safeguard national security.

Here’s what Michiganders are seeing about Rep. Haley Stevens pushing to protect industry and security at home:

Recycling today: Bill would initiate investigations into US aluminum scrap exports

By: Deanne Toto

• On June 4, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Secure Aluminum Supply Chains Act, which would direct the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate the national and economic security risks posed by U.S. aluminum scrap exports to adversarial nations.
• "Michigan workers know that strong supply chains are the foundation of a strong manufacturing economy."
• "We cannot sit back and let strategic materials that power American manufacturing to flow to competitors actively working to undercut our industries. If scrap aluminum is helping China strengthen its industrial base while our manufacturers face supply challenges, Congress needs to know."
• The legislation also requires the USITC to consult with domestic aluminum producers, metals recyclers and organized labor to ensure the report includes the perspectives of American workers and manufacturers.
• “As the largest union in the aluminum sector, the United Steelworkers (USW) knows that scrap metal is a vital part of our aluminum supply chain,” says USW International President Roxanne Brown. “We thank Rep. Stevens for her work pushing for a better understanding of how scrap exports impact our economic and national security. Aluminum production consumes approximately 5 percent of electricity generated in the United States, making this examination of scrap aluminum needed, common-sense policy.”

Resource Recycling, Inc.: Aluminum scrap exports face scrutiny under HB 9161

By: Stefanie Valentic

• A new House bill would put a federal lens on where US aluminum scrap is going and what it is costing the domestic manufacturing base when it’s exported.
• Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced HB 9161, or the Secure Aluminum Supply Chains Act, on June 4, directing the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate the national and economic security risks posed by US scrap aluminum exports to “adversarial nations.”
• The Aluminum Association has pushed for export restrictions, publishing a statement in fall 2025.
• “Smart, targeted export controls that keep our highest-quality scrap, like used beverage containers, within our borders will help to build a stronger US aluminum industry,” said Aluminum Association President and CEO Charles Johnson in a statement.

Recycling International: Recyclers push back after US and EU press for aluminium export restrictions

By: Robin Latchem

• In a similar tack in the US, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens has introduced the Secure Aluminum Supply Chains Act, ‘which would direct the US International Trade Commission to investigate the national and economic security risks posed by US aluminium scrap exports to adversarial nations’.
• Stevens argues that, while US manufacturers rely heavily on scrap aluminium as an affordable and energy-efficient input, large volumes leave the country ‘including exports that may be supplying Chinese industries that seek to topple our manufacturing economy here at home’.
• The Act directs the commission to conduct a comprehensive investigation into exports to countries of concern and entities controlled by those countries. The study will examine the economic and national security risks posed by these exports and provide Congress with recommendations to strengthen domestic supply chains.
• In response, ReMA, representing US recycling supply chains, says it wants to engage with Stevens, policy makers and industry stakeholders to provide a complete understanding of aluminium recycling, domestic market dynamics and exports.

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