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Congress·Reported·S. 3496

United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

Gold Mining: Fighting Illegal Trade in Latin America

This bill has been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is now waiting for a vote by the full Senate. It is currently placed on the legislative calendar and is actively moving forward. There are no other scheduled actions at this time.

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law
Likely to pass

This bill has strong support from both Republicans and Democrats and has already moved out of its first committee. It addresses popular goals like stopping cartels and protecting the environment.

Key Points

  • This bill requires the State Department to create a long-term plan to stop illegal gold mining in the Western Hemisphere. It focuses on breaking the links between gold and criminal groups that use the profits to fund their activities.
  • It targets illegal mining in countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua, where the government and cartels often control the trade. The plan would use sanctions and financial investigations to track and freeze money made from stolen or illegal gold.
  • Illegal mining causes massive damage to the environment, including mercury poisoning in water and the destruction of tropical forests. It also leads to human rights abuses like forced labor and child labor in dangerous mining camps.
  • The policy helps small, independent miners move into the legal market. It provides training and better technology so they can mine safely without using toxic chemicals or working for criminal bosses.
  • To keep illegal gold out of the U.S. market, the bill pushes for better tracking systems. This helps companies ensure the gold they buy for jewelry or electronics is sourced responsibly and does not fund violence.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

4 milestones5 actions
Feb 10, 2026Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 329.

The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.

Feb 10, 2026Senate

Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Jan 29, 2026Senate

Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Dec 16, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Dec 16, 2025

Introduced in Senate

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

Bill NumberS 3496
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 329.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
D: 2R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.