Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported nine bills. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"From modernizing the critical mineral list to bipartisan support for a clean and healthy Long Island Sound, House Committee on Natural Resources members are advancing responsible solutions to problems facing Americans. The nine bills we passed today are a product of diligent work from my colleagues, and I look forward to moving these bills further through the legislative process." 

Background

H.R. 1437, the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.), will give ranchers and cattlemen more options to address the devastating results of black vulture predation.

H.R. 5441, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), will reauthorize the Long Island Sound Office and the funding programs of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 through Fiscal Year 2028 at current authorization levels. The Long Island Sound is a vital source of recreation and economic activity for New York and the East coast. 

H.R. 6395, the Recognizing the Importance of Critical Minerals in Healthcare Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), will amend the Energy Act of 2020 to require the Secretary of the Interior to include the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultations regarding designations of critical minerals, elements, substances and materials. This will ensure minerals important in the health care sector are considered for designations regarding critical minerals.

H.R. 7872, the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), will address a longstanding imbalance in the Lower Basin Fund which funds salinity control projects. The legislation incorporates work from the seven Colorado River Basin states, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

H.R. 8446, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024, introduced by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), will amend the Energy Act of 2020 to include critical material in the definition of critical mineral. Both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) compile their lists of critical materials and critical minerals. This legislation would promote harmonization between the DOE and USGS lists.

H.R. 8450, the Phosphate and Potash Protection Act of 2024, introduced by U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), will direct the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to reevaluate potash and phosphate for designation as critical minerals.

H.R. 1647, the Salem Maritime National Monument Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), will redesignate the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historic Park and authorize a boundary survey.

H.R. 3119, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), will create a stamp sold by the United States Postal Service featuring the manatee, to raise funds for the conservation of the species.

H.R. 7776, the Help Hoover Dam Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), will authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to access $45 million of pre-paid ratepayer funding for the operation, maintenance and improvement of the Hoover Dam.