Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act establishes the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency. The new Office is tasked with coordinating cleanup actions at covered mine sites, which include Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private lands affected by past hardrock mining. It aims to establish best practices, identify innovative technologies, and encourage contracting opportunities for small businesses. The Administrator is required to create an annual priority list of mine sites and submit reports to Congress. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of an interagency plan specifically for uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill mandates a 10-year interagency plan specifically to address uranium contamination on Navajo Nation lands and emphasizes government-to-government consultation.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill establishes a dedicated office to coordinate and implement cleanup actions at contaminated mine sites to protect the environment.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The act directs the coordination of contracting opportunities specifically to encourage small business participation in cleanup actions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Coordination and Best Practices: The Office will coordinate between EPA headquarters, Regional Offices, and various stakeholders to establish and disseminate best practices for cleanup actions at covered mine sites (Section 2(c)(1)-(2)).
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Support for Small Businesses: The Act directs the coordination of contracting opportunities to encourage small businesses to participate in cleanup actions at covered mine sites (Section 2(c)(4)).
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Enhanced Protection of Health and Environment: The Office is tasked with establishing best practices to protect and improve human health and the environment, including the use of innovative technologies (Section 2(c)(6)(B)).
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Tribal Consultation and Support: The Administrator is directed to support government-to-government consultations with Indian Tribes regarding cleanup actions on Tribal land and to provide regular updates to those governments (Section 2(d)(2)(A)(iii)).
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Targeted Action for Navajo Nation: The bill requires the development of a 10-year interagency plan to coordinate cleanup actions specifically at Navajo Nation abandoned uranium mine sites (Section 2(d)(3)(A)).
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Technical Assistance for Local Entities: The Administrator is required to provide technical assistance regarding cleanup actions to States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes (Section 2(d)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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No New Regulatory Authority: The bill explicitly states that it does not provide the Administrator with any new regulatory authority that is not already established in law (Section 2(e)(1)).
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No Default Cleanup Standards: The bill specifies that it shall not be interpreted as establishing a default standard or authority to be used for cleanup actions at covered mine sites (Section 2(e)(2)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill mandates a 10-year interagency plan specifically to address uranium contamination on Navajo Nation lands and emphasizes government-to-government consultation.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill establishes a dedicated office to coordinate and implement cleanup actions at contaminated mine sites to protect the environment.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The act directs the coordination of contracting opportunities specifically to encourage small business participation in cleanup actions. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill encourages contracting opportunities for small businesses to participate in mine cleanup actions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By coordinating the cleanup of hazardous mine sites, the bill aims to protect and improve human health.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The cleanup of contaminated lands can improve the long-term economic and health prospects of affected communities.
- 11/20/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 11/19/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8245-8248; text: CR S8247-8248)
- 10/29/2025
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito with an amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 228.
- 9/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming