Legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani aimed at supporting American energy independence and strengthening domestic supply chains for critical minerals has passed the House of Representatives.
The Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 755) seeks to align how the Departments of Energy and Interior define and recognize critical materials and minerals. The bill standardizes these definitions, which is expected to make it easier to obtain permits, attract investment, and accelerate domestic mining and processing projects important for national security and economic growth. In Arizona, the legislation could simplify approval processes for copper projects.
Critical minerals are necessary components in technologies such as renewable energy systems, advanced batteries, semiconductors, aerospace equipment, and defense systems. Currently, the United States relies on foreign sources—sometimes from countries with adversarial relations—for many of these materials. The act aims to address this issue by ensuring that federal agencies use a unified approach when identifying critical minerals.
Ciscomani emphasized the importance of reducing reliance on foreign sources: “America should never have to depend on adversaries for the materials that power our economy and national defense,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “With today’s passage of the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, we are streamlining permitting, attracting investment, and unlocking Arizona’s vast mineral resources — especially copper — to strengthen our supply chains and our security.”
Congresswoman Susie Lee also spoke about the need for clarity between government agencies: “Accessing critical minerals and materials is essential for our national security and energy grid. Government red tape should not be a barrier to development and innovation,” she said. “Whether something is a ‘critical mineral’ according to the Interior Department or a ‘critical material’ according to the Energy Department, the federal government should treat all as critical resources. I’m glad my commonsense, bipartisan bill is one step closer to providing the clarity that both industry and federal agencies need.”
Chairman Bruce Westerman of the House Natural Resources Committee added: “Securing domestic critical mineral supply chains will bolster our national security, create jobs in rural communities and unleash American innovation,” he said. “Representative Ciscomani’s bill will allow both the DOI and DOE to retain crucial autonomy in creating their own lists while increasing efficiency, ensuring consistent treatment across the federal government and improving access to federal programs under a unified list. I thank Representative Ciscomani for this commonsense legislation and look forward to seeing it cross the finish line.”
Leaders in Arizona’s mining sector welcomed passage of the bill:
Adam Estelle, President of the Copper Development Association stated: “The Copper Development Association applauds Representatives Ciscomani and Lee for their continued leadership to bring important parity between U.S. Geological Survey critical minerals and the Department of Energy materials lists to strengthen our domestic supply chains through the Critical Mineral Consistency Act. Â Critical Minerals like copper are essential for our economic and national security, and this legislation further helps support our domestic copper industry.”
Steve Trussell, executive director of the Arizona Mining Association commented: “This commonsense legislation removes outdated bureaucratic silos, allowing for a unified approach to critical mineral development. By ensuring the U.S. Geological Survey recognizes the critical materials identified by the Department of Energy, including copper, we are fostering investment, supporting Arizona mining jobs, and strengthening our reliance on American made resources.”
Rich Nolan, President & CEO of National Mining Association remarked: “We firmly believe all minerals are critical, and this commonsense legislation is an important step forward. 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. We applaud the leadership of Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) in making sure made-in-America can increasingly mean mined-in-America. We call on the Senate to take action and pass this important legislation.”
Juan Ciscomani has served as U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 6th District since 2023 after replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in Congress. He was born in Hermosillo, Mexico in 1982 before moving to Tucson where he now lives; he graduated from University of Arizona with a BA in 2005.
Ciscomani secured his seat by defeating Kirsten Engel in both 2022 (with 50.7% of votes) and again in 2024 (with 50% of votes).
