To unleash America's offshore critical minerals and resources. | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 4018Geography and mappingPublic-private cooperation

To unleash America's offshore critical minerals and resources.

INTRO JUN 17· LAST ACTION SEP 3

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WHAT THE BILL DOES

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Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the United States' reliance on foreign countries, particularly potential adversaries, for essential critical minerals. These minerals are vital for everything from smartphones and electric vehicle batteries to advanced military equipment and renewable energy infrastructure. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to the U.S. developing its own secure supply of these materials, potentially reducing economic vulnerabilities and strengthening national security. This could mean more stable prices and availability for many products and technologies.

If the bill does not become law, the U.S. would likely continue to face challenges in securing reliable and affordable access to critical minerals, leaving it dependent on volatile global markets and geopolitical relationships. This could hinder technological advancements, manufacturing growth, and military preparedness. The bill represents a strategic choice between accelerating domestic resource development (with potential environmental trade-offs) and maintaining the current, more reliant import strategy.

KEY PROVISIONS

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PROVISION 01

Requires federal agencies to expedite the review and issuance of licenses and permits for deep seabed exploration and commercial recovery under existing laws.

This provision aims to significantly speed up access for U.S. companies to critical minerals found on the ocean floor, addressing current delays.

PROVISION 02

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an expedited process for permits and leases for prospecting on the Outer Continental Shelf.

This will accelerate the ability of companies to seek and secure rights to explore for minerals in U.S. coastal waters.

PROVISION 03

Mandates the development of a plan to map priority areas of the U.S. seabed, including extended areas, to identify and characterize mineral resources.

This ensures a better understanding of where critical minerals are located, guiding future exploration and extraction efforts more efficiently.

PROVISION 04

Requires the identification of critical minerals derived from seabed resources and which of those are essential for defense, manufacturing, and energy.

This focuses efforts on the most strategically important minerals, aligning resource development with national security and economic priorities.

PROVISION 05

Instructs the Commerce Secretary to engage with key international partners and allies to support seabed mineral resource development in their jurisdictions.

This aims to create global opportunities for U.S. companies and strengthen alliances in securing critical mineral supply chains, countering foreign influence.

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ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

SEP 3

Subcommittee Hearings Held

COMMITTEE

JUL 2

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

COMMITTEE

JUN 17

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JUN 17

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 4018

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedJun 17, 2025

Last actionSep 3, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 17, 2025