CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

S.Amdt. 6411

S.Amdt. 6411 · Senate amendment

A Democratic amendment with no cosponsors

Changes S. 4784 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

Offered

Offered, and not voted on yet. Most amendments never get a vote: the Senate takes up the bill and moves on without them.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

SA 6411, submitted by Mr. HEINRICH, aims to add a section regarding seabed mining to bill S. 4784.

The amendment seeks to change and add the following:

  • Regulations: It requires the Secretary of the Interior to make invitations to adjacent State and Territory Governors mandatory in certain activities. It also directs the creation of a seabed mining leasing program similar to the oil and gas leasing program, ensuring Territory Governors and Territories are included. If a significant local disaster occurs, the lease process must be delayed at the request of the affected Governor and can only restart upon agreement between the Secretary and that Governor.

  • Moratorium: It establishes a temporary stop on reviewing, issuing, granting, or approving any new licenses, permits, or leases for mining minerals in the outer Continental Shelf or exclusive economic zone. This moratorium lasts until a specific report is submitted to the House and Senate committees.

  • Study: It requires the Secretary to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study seabed mining for critical minerals. This study must cover:

    • Technological feasibility and economic potential.
    • Information needed for habitat baselines at and around mining sites.
    • Potential social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts, including cumulative effects and mitigation methods.

  • Reporting: The findings of this study must be submitted as a report to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate within 3 years of the agreement with the National Academies.