Pat Fallon (R-TX)
Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 669.
Waiting for a floor vote in the other chamber
Passed one chamber and is on the other chamber's calendar.
The calendar is a queue, not a date. The majority leadership decides what comes to the floor and when; much of what is placed on it is never called, and a bill that is never called simply expires with the Congress.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that law apply to hardrock minerals. It updates definitions in section 2 of the Act to officially include hardrock minerals, such as base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and gemstones. It explicitly excludes certain substances like coal, oil, gas, and sulfur from the definition of hardrock minerals. Finally, it updates section 3 of the Act to include hardrock minerals alongside sulfur.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill benefits mineral and mining industry owners by expanding the scope of applicable leasing laws.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
Expanding mineral leasing to hardrock minerals may facilitate more mining activity and job creation in that sector.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to grow the economy?
By streamlining the leasing process for hardrock minerals, the bill could contribute to economic growth through resource extraction.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Expanded mining leasing on acquired lands can potentially impact lands and resources of interest to Native American communities.
- Scored -2
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Increased mining activity for hardrock minerals could potentially lead to higher environmental footprints and carbon emissions.
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Expanding mineral leasing could lead to more environmental disruption through increased mining activity.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Clarity on Mineral Definitions: The bill clearly defines what a hardrock mineral is under section 1, paragraph (1)(G) of the Act, which includes base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. This brings clear definitions for people tracking these specific resources.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Provided Text for Negative Impacts: The provided bill text only outlines administrative updates to definitions and law applications, and does not explicitly contain details regarding negative outcomes or burdens for individuals or groups.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By streamlining the leasing process for hardrock minerals, the bill could contribute to economic growth through resource extraction. Is this likely to create jobs? — Expanding mineral leasing to hardrock minerals may facilitate more mining activity and job creation in that sector.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill benefits mineral and mining industry owners by expanding the scope of applicable leasing laws. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The expansion of mineral leasing may bring economic benefits and jobs to rural areas hosting these deposits. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased mining activity may lead to more jobs for unionized workers in the mining sector. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Expanded mining leasing on acquired lands can potentially impact lands and resources of interest to Native American communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the scope of the Mineral Leasing Act under federal jurisdiction for acquired lands.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Hardrock minerals like base metals are essential for renewable energy technologies. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill updates the regulatory framework for managing mineral resources on acquired lands. Does this invest in rural communities? — New mining opportunities could provide economic development to rural areas where these minerals are located. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Expanding mineral leasing could lead to more environmental disruption through increased mining activity. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Increased mining activity for hardrock minerals could potentially lead to higher environmental footprints and carbon emissions.
- 9/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 669.
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/12/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-305.
- 12/16/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 12/15/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3872.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5884-5885)
- Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 10/31/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 309.
- 9/17/2025
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 9/3/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 7/2/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 6/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas