The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill on March 3 sponsored by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) that would align the Departments of Energy and Interior’s lists of materials and minerals considered critical to national security and economic growth.
The legislation would establish a unified federal framework, streamlining the approval process for domestic mining and processing projects.
For Rep. Ciscomani’s southeastern Arizona district, the bill carries particular significance because it would lead to copper projects being more easily approved and developed, his office said.
“America should never have to depend on adversaries for the materials that power our economy and national defense,” Rep. Ciscomani said. “With today’s passage of the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, we are streamlining permitting, attracting investment, and unlocking Arizona’s vast mineral resources — especially copper — to strengthen our supply chains and our security.”
The congressman sponsored the bill, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, H.R. 755, along with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), who said, “Accessing critical minerals and materials is essential for our national security and energy grid. Government red tape should not be a barrier to development and innovation.”
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) praised the legislation as commonsense.
“Representative Ciscomani’s bill will allow both the DOI and DOE to retain crucial autonomy in creating their own lists while increasing efficiency, ensuring consistent treatment across the federal government and improving access to federal programs under a unified list,” he said.
Industry groups including the Copper Development Association, the Arizona Mining Association, and the National Mining Association also supported the bill.