Senators across the aisle are teaming up to shore up America's access to critical minerals. Democrats and Republicans alike recognize the growing need for clarity and efficiency within the realm of natural resources crucial to the nation's economic and security interests. Centrists Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) have come together, putting forth the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025, a legislative effort aiming to synchronize the currently disjointed Critical Materials List of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Critical Minerals List of the U.S. Geological Survey (DOI).
According to a statement released by Senator Kelly's office, the goal here is to simplify the supply chain by reducing the bureaucratic confusion that currently plagues suppliers. Kelly mentioned, "We’re cutting through the red tape to make sure Arizona’s copper producers and other critical material suppliers can access the resources they need to strengthen our supply chains and support American jobs." Senator Lee added, "The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 will make it easier for America’s energy producers to harness our nation’s abundant resources and support affordable, reliable energy production."
Support for this legislation is broad, attracting co-sponsorship from Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Moreover, it has garnered endorsements from industry groups, including the National Mining Association (NMA), the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), and the Copper Development Association (CDA), all recognizing the needs of a rapidly evolving market dependent on these critical minerals. "The bipartisan and bicameral Critical Mineral Consistency Act is a win for American miners, for domestic supply chain security and is essential to ensuring domestic production can increasingly meet soaring demand," proclaimed NMA president and CEO Rich Nolan, as reported by Senator Kelly's office.
Organizations committed to advancing clean energy, sustainability, and national security find common cause in the legislation. For instance, ZETA's executive director, Albert Gore, lauded the act, explaining the current dissonance between federal agencies’ lists undermines the nation's capacity to maintain secure, independent energy and economic growth. "Maximizing responsible and timely production of these commodities is key to meeting the growing demand for advanced technologies across sectors, including electric vehicles, defense, healthcare, consumer electronics, and many other crucial applications", Gore asserted. Meanwhile, Adam Estelle from CDA emphasized the importance of copper, "With demand for copper expected to double by 2035, securing a stable supply for domestic use is imperative," as noted by Senator Kelly's office.
