McCarthy and Cook Laud BLM's Announcement to Help Ensure U.S. Minerals' Industry Remains Competitive in Global Market

Statement

Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Congressman Cook (CA-08) released the following statements in support of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) proposed rule that will simplify the royalty rate setting process that could reduce royalties on certain solid minerals.

"It is critical that U.S. royalty rate policies do not put domestic non-energy mineral producers at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign competitors in a global economy. I want to commend President Trump and Secretary Bernhardt for taking this action today. This rule would provide the BLM with the ability to quickly evaluate and respond to market dynamics to ensure that royalty rates on various minerals -- including on soda ash of which a major amount is produced in the Mojave Desert -- are not hampering responsible resource development and job creation."

Congressman Paul Cook released the following statement:
"Over the past decade, American soda ash producers have faced significant challenges from foreign, synthetic soda ash producers in China and Turkey. Sodium carbonate production is a $1.8 billion industry which provides hundreds of jobs to my constituents in Trona and thousands more to hardworking Americans across the nation. The previous Administration chose to triple the Federal royalty rate for soda ash, severely impacting its production. More recently, Trona has been significantly damaged by major earthquakes, causing serious disruptions to local industry. This important rule sets the stage for rapid relief that will protect and expand mining jobs, strengthen our national security, and help local soda ash producers in my district recover from a devastating natural disaster. I thank the BLM and the Administration for taking action to support this critical industry."

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