The House of Representatives passed the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024 (H.R. 8446) with bipartisan support, by a vote of 245-155.
The legislation, the Congressional Western Caucus said in a press release, aims to streamline coordination between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in determining which minerals are vital to the United States’ national, economic, and energy security.
Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, praised the bill, which he co-sponsored with Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06).
“I am proud to support Representative Ciscomani’s ‘Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024,’ which helps harmonize the federal government’s critical minerals lists,” Newhouse said. “This important legislation ensures that the USGS and DOE remain in sync, providing clarity to industry and improving coordination. It’s essential that we use the most up-to-date information when determining the minerals necessary for U.S. security, and this bill ensures that happens.”
The need for such legislation was discussed during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last year, which focused on hardrock minerals such as copper, lithium, and cobalt. These minerals are vital for manufacturing smartphones, laptops, satellites, and key renewable energy technologies, including electric vehicle batteries. According to a memo from the committee, the increasing demand for renewable energy technology is driving the need for these minerals, which must be mined domestically or imported.
“While the United States faces a choice in how to respond to this demand—either supporting domestic production or allowing foreign nations with questionable labor and environmental standards to dominate the market—the need for secure and responsible sourcing is clear,” the memo stated.
China, the memo pointed out, dominates the global supply chains for critical minerals, both in raw materials and refined products. New mining projects in the U.S. face substantial financial and regulatory hurdles, with costs running into the hundreds of millions of dollars and permitting processes that can take up to ten years.
