House Votes to Establish American Mineral Dominance

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.). The bill codifies aspects of President Donald Trump's executive orders (EO) related to boosting domestic hardrock mining.

"Securing our domestic critical mineral supply chains is a matter of national and economic security. Currently, our nation relies on China for our mineral needs while domestic mining is hindered by burdensome regulations. The Critical Mineral Dominance Act will make it easier to responsibly mine in America, creating jobs for American workers and ending our reliance on foreign sources of minerals. I thank Representative Stauber for his leadership on unleashing American mineral dominance." - House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

"H.R. 4090 passing the House is a major step toward ensuring our domestic critical mineral dominance and breaking China's control of global critical mineral supply chains. By codifying the Trump Administration's executive orders into law, we will help ensure the United States is a place where we can mine, process, and refine the critical minerals needed to compete and win in the 21st Century, regardless of future administrations. I thank my colleagues for their support-this bill sets the stage for Senate action and a stronger, more self-reliant America." - Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.)

Background

Hardrock minerals are foundational to U.S. national and economic security with applications across the defense, aerospace, energy and manufacturing sectors. Currently, China controls approximately 60% of global critical mineral production, 90% of processing and 75% of manufacturing. H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, supports President Trump's actions to spur domestic mining on public lands by codifying multiple EOs that relate to hardrock mining.

Specifically, the legislation enacts provisions of EO 14154, "Unleashing American Energy," EO 14241, "Immediate Measures to Increase Mineral Production" and EO 14272, "Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products." This bill will unleash domestic mining and allow America to secure its mineral supply chains.

The bill also directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to revise or rescind agency actions that inhibit domestic mining, identify and expedite the permitting of existing mines on public lands, identify public lands with mineral potential, increase geological mapping on public lands and submit a report to Congress detailing the barriers to U.S. mining along with recommended changes to law.