[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    NATIONAL STRATEGIC AND CRITICAL MINERALS PRODUCTION ACT OF 2013

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 761) to 
     require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of 
     Agriculture to more efficiently develop domestic sources of 
     the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical 
     importance to United States economic and national security 
     and manufacturing competitiveness:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the so-called 
``National Strategic and Critical Minerals Protection Act,'' a bill 
that has very little to do with development of rare earth elements or 
minerals that are vulnerable to supply disruption.
  The bill before us today is so broadly drafted that it would reduce 
or eliminate environmental review for almost all type of mines on 
public land, including common materials like sand, clay, and gravel. It 
needlessly limits judicial review of mining activities. And it 
arbitrarily prioritizes mining over every other use of public lands, 
including hunting, fishing, grazing, and conservation.
  If the majority would like to encourage production of truly strategic 
and critical minerals on public lands, we should work together on a 
targeted solution that develops our natural resources while protecting 
our environment. Today's bill is not that solution. I urge a no vote.

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