House Passes Critical Minerals Bill with Pearce Amendment

Statement

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce issued the following statement on the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2015, H.R. 1937, which passed the House today by a vote of 254-177:

"Development of critical minerals in the United States will provide states like New Mexico with good-paying, stable jobs," said Pearce. "Critical minerals are vital to a variety of industries including agriculture, technology, construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Unfortunately, lengthy permitting processes and overregulation have prevented new mines from opening in New Mexico and across the country. As a result, we are forced to purchase these minerals overseas. Each day that we continue to allow foreign imports to dominate the critical mineral trade, our nation loses out economically. And, by relying on other countries to supply us with these minerals -- essential to the technological world in which we live -- we run a serious national security risk.

"The bill passed today includes an amendment I offered to ensure that New Mexico's potash and oil and gas producers are able to continue to safely and efficiently develop these valuable resources without conflict. Southeastern New Mexico has become a hub for resource development and production. The addition of my amendment will provide both of these industries with the certainty needed to continue to grow, create more jobs, and benefit industries nationwide. This issue is of the utmost importance and I call on the Senate and the President to move this bill forward immediately."

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