Reporting H.R. 761 Out of Committee (Passed 24-17. View Roll Call Vote)
This bipartisan bill allows the U.S. to more efficiently develop our Nation's strategic and critical minerals, such as rare earth elements, that are vital to job creation, American economic competitiveness and national security.

Amodei Amendment #1 – Substantive and Technical Amendment- (Agreed to by Voice Vote)
This amendment makes a number of technical changes to the underlying bill. Additionally, changes were made to the definitions of a “critical or strategic mineral” and added regulations governing mine development on acquired lands.

Holt Amendment .001 –Strategic and Critical Mineral Definition- (Failed 16-18. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment fundamentally changes the intention of the legislation by arbitrarily limiting the definition of “strategic and critical minerals” that is previously defined in the underlying legislation.

Holt Amendment .002 – Royalty Requirement- (Failed 18-23. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment mandates a federal royalty payment of 12.5 percent on hardrock mining that would discourage investment and production of strategic and critical minerals on federal lands and encourage wasteful litigation and liability to the American taxpayer.

* For complete legislative action for the May 15, 2013 Full Committee Markup, click here.