House Energy & Commerce Republicans unveil Securing America’s Mineral Supply Chains Act

Republicans on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced legislation designed to protect national security, meet skyrocketing demand and enhance America’s economic competitiveness in the critical hardrock minerals market.

“To win the future and flip the switch on America’s energy production, America must reduce our critical mineral dependence on adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party and Russia,” said U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), ranking member on the committee. “It’s essential to our energy and national security.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers on Sept. 22 signed on as one of five original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI), Bob Latta (R-OH), Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Pete Stauber (R-MN), to introduce the Securing America’s Mineral Supply Chains Act, H.R. 8981, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR).

If enacted, H.R. 8981 would designate a lead federal agency to coordinate the mine permitting process to maximize efficiency and minimize delays for mining projects on federal land, and set time limits for key steps in the federal permitting process, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“Permitting reform is the single biggest issue impacting mining and manufacturing in America,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said, adding that the measure “will streamline the permitting process for mining on federal lands and authorize national security waivers to expedite permitting of mineral processing and refining facilities here at home.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers also thanked Rep. Latta and Rep. Upton for leading on related solutions to establish a strategic reserve of uranium and reduce U.S. dependence on Russia, and to direct the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to counter China’s dominance in the critical energy resource supply chain.

“America cannot achieve full energy independence without a stable supply of domestically produced critical minerals,” Rep. Upton said. “The U.S. cannot count on China, and we should not allow China to continue dominating the critical minerals market.”

Rep. Upton also said that the U.S. has the supply here at home, and H.R. 8981 would provide tools for DOE to increase domestic production and refining capacity, diversify supply sources, and “to assess vulnerabilities in our supply chain so they can be addressed going forward.”

“The unfortunate reality is that the United States has lost its competitive edge in the development of nuclear energy,” Rep. Latta added. “For the U.S. to keep pace with our allies and rivals, we must invest in nuclear power and build up our capacity to control all steps of the nuclear fuel cycle.”

Rep. Calvert also pointed out that reliable access to critical minerals is essential to America’s economic and national security and he said the proposed bill offers real solutions to address the nation’s mineral vulnerabilities. 

“We must take action to reverse course on America’s growing dependence on foreign nations for these vital resources and hold China and Russia accountable for their efforts to undermine our security,” he said.

Rep. Stauber agreed, noting that America has been reliant on foreign countries like China, Russia, and the Congo in its mineral supply chains for far too long. 

“However, we are blessed with vast mineral wealth and a world-class workforce,” said the congressman. “Let’s mine, process, and manufacture here at home, with high-wage high-quality jobs. I am a proud original cosponsor and I look forward to this bill being law.”

Among several other provisions, H.R. 8981 would prohibit mineral withdrawals on federal lands without a recent mineral assessment or a certification that a proposed withdrawal would not impede a secure U.S. supply chain; and would prohibit the reversal of existing leases, permits, or claims for critical mineral or aggregate development without an act of Congress, according to the summary.

Additionally, the bill would require the United States Geological Survey to report to Congress on the involvement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in mining and processing in countries from which the U.S. imports minerals, including an evaluation of strategic or security concerns due to such involvement, the summary says.