Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act

Bill Number: H.R. 3617
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Energy
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-02-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Last Updated: 2026-06-13T02:26:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act" (H.R. 3617) aims to strengthen the United States' energy security by ensuring a reliable supply of critical energy resources—such as minerals and materials essential for energy technologies and systems, whose supply chains are at risk of disruption. It focuses on reducing vulnerabilities from imports and foreign influences while promoting domestic production and innovation.

Key Provisions

Definition of Critical Energy Resources: Introduces a new term in the Department of Energy Organization Act (DOE Act) defining these as resources vital to the U.S. energy sector that have supply chains prone to interruptions (e.g., due to geopolitical issues or shortages).
Amendments to DOE Responsibilities:
Adds to the DOE's core purposes: Maintaining an adequate supply of these resources to support national energy security.
Assigns the Secretary of Energy new functions: Identifying and addressing supply disruptions that could affect energy technology development and system operations.
Ongoing Assessments and Strategies (Section 3):
Requires the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with federal agencies, energy industry representatives, states, and other stakeholders, to regularly evaluate:
The importance of these resources to energy tech and supply.
U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities, diversity (to avoid monopolies or single failures), production limits (e.g., material or labor shortages), and regulatory impacts.
Reliance on imports and how adversarial nations (countries posing security risks) might manipulate markets through unfair practices, price controls, or human rights issues in production.
Directs development of strategies to bolster supply chains, including diversifying sources, boosting U.S. production, processing, and separation of resources.
Mandates research into substitutes, alternatives, and technologies for reusing or recycling these resources.
Reporting Requirement: Within two years of enactment, the Secretary must report to key congressional committees (House Energy and Commerce; Senate Energy and Natural Resources) on assessment results, including any new regulations, guidance, or actions taken.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amendments to the DOE Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.):
Adds a new subsection (d) to Section 2 for the critical energy resource definition.
Inserts a new purpose (Section 102(20)) focused on supply reliability.
Appends a new function (Section 203(a)(12)) for the Secretary to manage supply security and disruptions.
These changes expand the DOE's mandate beyond general energy organization to specifically target supply chain risks for critical materials, without altering broader DOE structures or authorities.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Department of Energy (DOE) gains expanded duties for assessments and strategy development, potentially increasing workload and coordination with agencies like the Department of Defense or Commerce. This could lead to new regulations on imports or production, affecting enforcement by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency.
On Citizens: Enhances energy reliability (e.g., for batteries in electric vehicles or solar panels), potentially stabilizing prices and reducing blackout risks from supply shortages. However, it may indirectly raise costs if domestic production incentives increase energy-related expenses.
On International Relations: Reduces U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers (especially from adversarial nations like China for rare earth minerals), which could strain trade ties but strengthen alliances with diversified partners (e.g., Canada or Australia). It promotes fairer global markets by addressing exploitation in resource production.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Primary: Department of Energy (Secretary and staff) responsible for implementation; energy sector companies (e.g., mining, manufacturing for renewables) benefiting from supply strategies.
Secondary: Federal agencies (e.g., for consultations); state governments (involved in domestic production); industry stakeholders (e.g., labor unions facing shortages); U.S. importers and exporters of minerals.
Broader: American consumers and businesses reliant on stable energy supplies; international suppliers and adversarial nations facing U.S. scrutiny of their practices.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Builds on existing DOE authorities without creating new enforcement powers, but assessments could prompt future regulations under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (affecting mining permits). The bill's focus on "adversarial nations" may invite legal challenges if definitions are vague, potentially requiring clarification in implementation.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce and national security powers (Article I, Section 8), emphasizing federal oversight of interstate energy supplies. No direct conflicts with states' rights, as consultations are required.
Political: Signals a bipartisan push for energy independence amid global tensions (e.g., over rare earths), potentially influencing future budgets for DOE programs. It highlights anti-competitive concerns without mandating sanctions, leaving room for executive discretion in foreign policy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

Recent Actions

2026-02-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2026-02-11: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-02-11: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 223 - 206 (Roll no. 64). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2150) (Roll call 64)
2026-02-11: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 223 - 206 (Roll no. 64). (Roll call 64)
2026-02-11: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 215 (Roll no. 63). (Roll call 63)
2026-02-11: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2167-2169)
2026-02-11: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3617, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Landsman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-02-11: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
2026-02-11: Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H2154)
2026-02-11: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-02-11: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3617.
2026-02-11: Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
2026-02-11: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2150-2154)
2026-02-11: Rule H. Res. 1057 passed House.
2026-02-11: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1057 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.

Bill Versions

Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (6 pages)
Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (4 pages)
Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act — issued 2026-02-12 — PDF (5 pages)
Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (8 pages)