House passes bill fast-tracking mining on federal lands

The House voted 224-195 to pass H.R. 4090 on February 4, 2026. Ten Democrats joined Republicans in support while one Republican voted against, making the vote mostly but not entirely along party lines. Rep. PSPete Stauber (R-MN), chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, sponsored the legislation. The House Rules Committee reported the rule for floor consideration (H. Res. 1032) by a vote of 8-4 on February 2, 2026. The procedural rule itself barely passed the House 217-215 on February 3.

The bill codifies several of President Trump's executive orders aimed at boosting domestic mining and processing of critical minerals. Executive Order 14241, 'Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,' already directed similar actions. The Critical Mineral Dominance Act puts these directives into law so they survive future administrations. Interior Secretary DBDoug Burgum, who has championed expanded domestic mineral production, would oversee implementation.

The bill's main requirement directs Interior Secretary DBDoug Burgum's department to identify priority mining projects on federal lands within 10 days of enactment. This extremely short timeline limits Interior's ability to conduct thorough review of environmental impacts, tribal concerns, or competing land uses. Once projects are identified, Interior must 'take all necessary and appropriate steps to expedite' their approval.

Interior must suspend, revise, or rescind any agency actions that place 'undue burdens' on mining projects. This gives the department broad authority to weaken or eliminate environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and review processes. The bill does not define 'undue burdens,' leaving interpretation to Interior officials. This could include National Environmental Policy Act reviews, Endangered Species Act consultations, or Clean Water Act permitting.

The legislation covers hardrock mining on National Forest System land, public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and any land that may be leased for hardrock mineral exploration and production. This includes millions of acres across the western United States. Hardrock minerals include copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements used in batteries, electronics, and clean energy technology.

The bill requires Interior, in consultation with the Agriculture Department, to submit to Congress a list of pending mining project applications and active, inactive, or proposed mining projects on federal land. Interior must also recommend changes to current law necessary to expand U.S. production of hardrock minerals and review state and local laws that impede domestic mining. This provision signals potential federal preemption of state environmental regulations.

Supporters frame the bill as essential for national security and reducing dependence on China, which controls significant portions of global supply chains for rare earth elements and battery minerals. The mining industry and labor groups view expanding domestic production as critical for electric vehicle manufacturing, defense applications, and clean energy infrastructure.

House Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) led Democratic opposition, calling the bill a 'corporate giveaway' that 'hands the mining industry the power to gut its own regulations.' Huffman warned the bill creates no safeguards against prioritizing mines owned by foreign adversaries, fails to focus on minerals needed for clean energy or defense, and would allow mining on sensitive public lands including national parks. The National Parks Conservation Association noted over 120,000 active mining claims exist within 30 miles of national parks.

The Senate received the bill on February 5, 2026, and referred it to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senate passage is not guaranteed. The partisan 224-195 House vote shows Republicans prioritizing supply chain security and economic development while Democrats emphasize environmental review and tribal consultation.