Bloomberg Talks

Episode: Senator Jeanne Shaheen Talks Foreign Relations and Rare Earth Minerals
Date: February 6, 2026
Guest: Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Location: Live from Phoenix Tailings Rare Earths Processing Plant, Exeter, NH

Episode Overview

This episode features Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a leading Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. Broadcasting from the Phoenix Tailings rare earth processing facility in New Hampshire, Senator Shaheen discusses U.S. foreign policy and national security—most notably the unfolding crisis with Iran—and the urgent need to secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths. The conversation also dives into current homeland security debates in Congress, specifically around ICE operations and border security.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S.–Iran Tensions and Prospects for Diplomacy

— Timestamps: 00:27–03:14

• Current Situation: With the U.S. State Department urging citizens to leave Iran, tension mounts regarding potential military escalation.
  • Senator Shaheen emphasizes a diplomatic path:

    “Negotiations are always better than fighting. And I hope that these negotiations will lead to something.” (01:13, Shaheen)

• Military Posture: The U.S. has assembled a significant military presence near Iran, but intentions remain unclear.

  • “I don’t have any insights into the President’s thinking about this. But again, that’s why these talks are so important… there’s a lot riding on these talks.” (02:08, Shaheen)

• Role of U.S. Negotiators: Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading talks for the U.S.
  • Shaheen acknowledges the need for close Presidential ties and institutional backup:

    “It’s important to have somebody who can speak for the president... I think both Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have that credibility.” (02:54, Shaheen)

2. Securing America’s Supply of Rare Earth Minerals

— Timestamps: 03:14–07:17

• Dependence on China:
  • With 90% of rare earth processing controlled by China, vulnerability in critical industries is highlighted.

  • “...those are elements that are in everything from our appliances to our cars to our missiles and our aircraft... And right now, 90% of the processing... is being done in China. And so we are subject to whatever China’s whims are...” (04:17, Shaheen)

• Phoenix Tailings' Role: One of the few U.S. companies processing rare earths, utilizing mine tailings.

  • “What Phoenix does is to take mine tailings... and they have a process here to develop those into... some of the 17 rare earth minerals that are so important...” (05:12, Shaheen)

• Bipartisan Legislative Efforts—Secure Minerals Act:
  • Establishes a Strategic Resilience Reserve modeled after the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
  • $2.5 billion in authorized funding to boost domestic rare earth processing and support small businesses.
  • Creation of a seven-member independent board (akin to the Federal Reserve Board) to oversee and recommend sector support.

  • “Our legislation... doesn’t just set up that reserve... What it also does is to support a domestic industry here... with access to capital markets... We would authorize $2.5 billion for the proposal...” (06:33, Shaheen)

3. Capitol Hill Standoff—ICE Operations, Masking, and Security Reforms

— Timestamps: 07:17–11:08

• Pending Government Shutdown Threat:
  • Lawmakers face a deadline to avoid a DHS shutdown, with dispute over ICE agent policies, body cameras, and masking for protection.
  • Opposition quotes from Senators John Cornyn, Ted Budd, and Ted Cruz highlight deep partisan divides.
• Democratic Concerns:
  • Senator Shaheen stresses need for reform and open, responsible negotiations:

    “The American people are not only outraged, but many are afraid about the behavior of ICE. When ICE is able to kill American citizens with impunity... there is a problem.” (09:16, Shaheen)

  • She draws on her experience as Governor, noting New Hampshire law enforcement's transparent practices without masks.

  • “We need reform that addresses the concerns about how ICE is operating... That’s in everybody’s interest, it’s in Republican and Democratic interests to try and reach some accommodation.” (09:38, Shaheen)

• Local Impact in New Hampshire:
  • Shaheen addresses community fear and disruption, arguing for productive, nonpartisan reform.

  • “That’s not making our communities safer. That’s making people afraid... What they don’t want is people coming into their communities, disrupting their schools, disrupting their hospitals, disrupting their childcare centers.” (10:22, Shaheen)

  • Reiterates a focus on border security, criminal deportation, and constructive dialogue.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Iran:

  • “Negotiations are always better than fighting. And I hope that these negotiations will lead to something.” (01:13, Shaheen)
  • “If we can reach some agreement around Iran’s support for terrorist groups in the region... that will be positive, not just for the region, but for global security.” (02:16, Shaheen)

• On Rare Earth Minerals:

  • “What Phoenix does is to take mine tailings... into... some of the 17 rare earth minerals that are so important in all of those appliances... to everything else that we use computers in the modern world.” (05:12, Shaheen)
  • “Right now, 90% of the processing of those elements is being done in China... That’s why companies like Phoenix Tailings are so important.” (04:17, Shaheen)

• On ICE and Homeland Security Reform:

  • “The American people are not only outraged, but many are afraid about the behavior of ICE. When ICE is able to kill American citizens with impunity on America’s streets, there is a problem.” (09:16, Shaheen)
  • “I hope [negotiations] are going to be able to achieve... some reforms. We ought to be able to sit down like adults responsibly and get something done and stop the name calling.” (11:00, Shaheen)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27 — Introduction, Senator Shaheen joins live from the Phoenix Tailings plant
• 01:02 — Senator Shaheen’s take on the Iran crisis and potential war
• 02:06 — On U.S. military posture and diplomatic hopes with Iran
• 02:54 — Discussion of U.S. negotiators (Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner)
• 03:54 — Phoenix Tailings and U.S. rare earth supply chain challenges
• 06:04 — Details and mechanisms of the Secure Minerals Act
• 07:17 — Homeland security, ICE reforms, partisan divides in Congress
• 09:16 — Shaheen on ICE transparency, community fears, and the way forward
• 10:05 — Local impact in New Hampshire and call for reforms

Summary

Senator Jeanne Shaheen provides candid, nuanced insight into both international and domestic challenges facing the U.S. government—from high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Iran to the pressing need for American control over critical mineral supply chains and the tangle of homeland security reforms. Her focus remains consistently on bipartisan solutions, transparency, and community well-being, calling for substantive reforms over political grandstanding.