§ 2092. Loans to private business enterprises
(a)
Loan authority
To reduce current or projected shortfalls of industrial resources, critical technology items, or materials essential for the national defense, the President may make provision for loans to private business enterprises (including nonprofit research corporations and providers of critical infrastructure) for the creation, maintenance, expansion, protection, or restoration of capacity, the development of technological processes, or the production of essential materials, including the exploration, development, and mining of strategic and critical metals and minerals.
(b)
Conditions of loans
Loans may be made under this section on such terms and conditions as the President deems necessary, except that—
(1)
financial assistance may be extended only to the extent that it is not otherwise available from private sources on reasonable terms; and
(2)
during periods of national emergency declared by the Congress or the President, no such loan may be made unless the President determines that—
(A)
the loan is for an activity that supports the production or supply of an industrial resource, critical technology item, or material that is essential to the national defense;
(B)
without the loan, United States industry cannot reasonably be expected to provide the needed capacity, technological processes, or materials in a timely manner;
(C)
the loan is the most cost-effective, expedient, and practical alternative method for meeting the need;
(c)
Limitations on loans
Loans under this section may be—
(d)
Aggregate loan amounts
(1)
In general
If the making of any loan under this section to correct a shortfall would cause the aggregate outstanding amount of all obligations of the Federal Government under this title [sections
2091 to
2094 of this Appendix] relating to such shortfall to exceed $50,000,000, such loan may be made only—