Executive Order 14285, which promotes the development of seabed mineral resources on the U.S. continental shelf, would be written into permanent law. That means even if a future president revokes the executive order, the policy would remain in effect. The bill is a single sentence — it gives the executive order "the force and effect of law." It's aimed at locking in federal support for offshore mining of critical minerals like cobalt, manganese, and rare earths that are currently imported from countries like China.
Environmental Concerns
- Seabed mineral extraction policy — Executive Order 14285 given the force and effect of law
- Future executive flexibility to revise or revoke seabed mining policy — Statute would override EO revocation
Corporate Benefits
- Federal backing for offshore critical-mineral mining industry — Executive policy promoting it codified in statute
Transparency & Accountability
- Mandatory re-examination of seabed mining policy — No sunset; codification removes the ordinary EO review-and-revoke pathway
Congressional Summary
This bill provides statutory authority for Executive Order 14285, which expedites the process for reviewing and issuing permits and licenses for seabed mineral resource development.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-06-06
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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