Congressman Pat Harrigan, who represents North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, voted in support of H.R. 4090, known as the Critical Mineral Dominance Act. The bill aims to strengthen U.S. supply chains by boosting domestic production of critical minerals and reducing reliance on foreign sources.
“We’ve spent years letting permitting delays and agency obstruction shut down mining projects that are ready to go, while China locks up the supply chains for the minerals our military and manufacturers depend on,” said Congressman Harrigan. “This bill forces Interior to identify projects that can be approved now, clear the regulatory roadblocks, and start rebuilding a domestic supply chain that should never have been outsourced in the first place.”
Hardrock minerals are important for national security and economic sectors such as defense, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing. Currently, China holds most of the world’s critical mineral production capacity and almost all processing capabilities. This situation has made the United States dependent on imports for these resources.
The Critical Mineral Dominance Act incorporates parts of previous executive orders from President Trump by instructing the Department of the Interior to speed up mining project approvals on federal land, increase geological mapping efforts, identify priority projects, and remove regulatory obstacles that limit production.
The legislation will next be considered by the Senate. Congressman Harrigan is calling for further action to secure America’s access to essential mineral resources.
In 2024, Pat Harrigan won re-election by defeating Ralph R. Scott, Jr., receiving 57.5% of the vote compared to Scott’s 38.2%.
