H.R.3617 — Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act
House Roll Call
H.R.3617
| Bill | H.R.3617 — Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Passage |
| Vote type | Yea-and-Nay |
| Result | Passed |
| Totals | Yea 223 / Nay 206 / Present 0 / Not Voting 3 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 214 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| D | 9 | 205 | 0 | 0 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Passage
Bill Analysis
HR 3617, the “Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act,” directs a comprehensive federal strategy to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign (especially adversarial) sources of critical minerals used in defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The bill requires the Department of the Interior (DOI), in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), and other agencies, to update and maintain a federal list of “critical minerals” based on supply risk and strategic importance. It mandates periodic assessments of U.S. reserves, production capacity, and import reliance, and requires identification of vulnerabilities in supply chains, including processing and refining stages often dominated by foreign entities.
DOI and DOE must develop and implement a national strategy to secure and diversify critical mineral supplies. This includes: (1) facilitating domestic exploration, mining, processing, and recycling; (2) supporting research, development, and demonstration projects for alternative materials, substitution technologies, and advanced recycling; and (3) promoting allied and partner-country supply arrangements. The bill streamlines federal permitting for critical mineral projects by setting timelines, improving interagency coordination, and designating lead agencies for environmental reviews, while preserving core environmental and public participation requirements.
The legislation authorizes new or expanded grant, loan, or cost-share programs—primarily through DOE—for pilot projects, processing facilities, and recycling infrastructure, with priority for projects that reduce reliance on foreign adversaries and create domestic capacity. It may also authorize DOD to use existing Defense Production Act and related authorities to support critical mineral production for national security needs.
Beneficiaries include U.S. mining and processing firms, advanced manufacturers (e.g., batteries, semiconductors, defense systems), and allied-country suppliers. Regulated or directly affected parties include mining operators, processors, and federal land managers. The bill sets specific deadlines (generally within 180 days to 2 years of enactment) for issuing the updated critical minerals list, completing supply chain assessments, publishing the national strategy, and implementing permitting reforms, with recurring reporting requirements to Congress to track progress and adjust policies over time.
Yea (223)
K
Ken Calvert
S
Scott Franklin
L
Lisa McClain
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
Nay (206)
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
C
Christian Menefee
E
Eric Swalwell
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
