Subcommittee Chairman Stauber Testifies in Support of Legislation to Establish American Mineral Dominance

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) testified before the House Committee on Rules in support of H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act.

Below are Stauber's full remarks, as prepared:

"Thank you, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to testify today on H.R. 4090, the 'Critical Mineral Dominance Act.'

"In November, the U.S. Geological Survey published its final 2025 List of Critical Minerals, covering a total of 60 commodities. These critical minerals face risks from disrupted supply chains, and they are vital to U.S. national and economic security, along with our nation's ability to compete and win in the 21st Century.

"The data is clear - demand for these critical minerals is projected to skyrocket in the coming years, and we must be ready to meet this challenge. According to a recent study from S&P Global, global copper demand alone is projected to increase 50 percent by 2040, driven by the growing needs of artificial intelligence, defense and manufacturing. This surge could cause a shortfall of up to 10 million metric tons of copper without a meaningful supply expansion.

"In other words - we need to mine more, and we need to mine now.

"Unfortunately, our country has moved in the opposite direction in recent decades, becoming dangerously reliant on mineral imports. This dependency plays right into the hands of our adversaries. Most notably, China controls approximately sixty percent of global critical mineral production, ninety percent of processing and seventy-five percent of manufacturing. We've repeatedly seen the CCP impose mineral export restrictions and use its stranglehold over rare earth minerals as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, increasing uncertainty across key sectors of our economy.

"To unleash our vast natural resources, we must take decisive action to cut through the red tape and end the years of hostility against domestic mining from the Biden administration, which reversed project approvals and restricted development on millions of acres of public lands.

"Since taking office, President Trump has moved swiftly to set America on a path to mineral dominance. From issuing America first executive orders focused on mineral production to including dozens of new mineral projects in the FAST-41 process, this administration has sent a clear signal that we must support, rather than impede, our domestic miners, who form the foundation of our national strength.

"H.R. 4090 builds on President Trump's efforts by codifying aspects of three executive orders relating to hardrock mining.

"First, H.R. 4090 requires the Department of the Interior to assess the costs of America's import reliance for each mineral commodity monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey. This data will inform further efforts to reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries, like the People's Republic of China.

"Next, the bill directs agencies to identify federal lands suitable for new mineral production, streamline priority mining projects on federal lands and accelerate mapping efforts to provide a clearer picture of our significant domestic mineral wealth.

"Finally, H.R. 4090 directs Interior to conduct a nationwide review of laws and regulations, including those from state and local governments, that discourage mineral development. Interior will then provide a report to Congress with their findings, along with policy recommendations to increase domestic mining.

"During markup, the Natural Resources Committee worked across the aisle to strengthen this bill, adopting two minority amendments that require Interior to report to Congress on the barriers to byproduct mineral production on federal lands and examine projects with the potential to produce hardrock minerals from coal ash and coal byproducts. And I'm proud that this bill was reported by the Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.

"H.R. 4090 takes a broad and forward-thinking approach to addressing one of the country's most serious challenges.

"By codifying these policies into law, we will provide our domestic mining sector the policy certainty it needs to invest and grow here in the United States.

"I urge the Committee to adopt an appropriate rule so we can bring this bill to the floor.

"Thank you, and I yield back."