Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Expand American Mining and Reduce Dependence on China

September 2, 2026 Press Release Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted for H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, legislation that strengthens domestic mineral production by making the federal permitting process more predictable for American mining and mineral processing projects. “Everything from our cars and power grid to our factories and weapons systems depends on minerals that have to be mined and processed somewhere. When we make it nearly impossible to produce those resources here at home, we don’t stop mining, we simply push it overseas and become more dependent on countries like China,” said Congressman Harrigan. “That dependence makes our supply chains more fragile, drives investment and jobs out of the United States, and gives our adversaries leverage over resources our economy and national security depend on. We can maintain strong environmental standards without trapping American projects in years of uncertainty, and this bill gives companies a clearer path to invest, build, and produce here at home.” The Protecting Domestic Mining Act permanently adds mining and mineral processing to the sectors eligible for FAST-41, giving qualifying projects access to a coordinated federal permitting process with greater transparency and predictability. The bill also blocks a Biden-era proposed rule that would have narrowed mining eligibility under FAST-41. Projects remain subject to federal environmental requirements, but American producers gain greater certainty that access to the permitting process will not change every time a new administration takes office. Following passage in the House, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 now heads to the Senate for consideration.