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HR2969119th CongressWALLET

Finding ORE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

In Committee

Summary

Maps critical mineral and rare earth resources overseas to strengthen U.S. supply chains. This bill would let the U.S. Geological Survey sign memoranda of understanding with partner countries for scientific and technical cooperation on mapping critical minerals and rare earth elements and set rules to guide private investment and data protection.

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  • U.S. and allied companies and investors: U.S. and allied-headquartered companies would be offered a right of first refusal to develop mapped resources. The bill pushes private investment and seeks financing through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank to favor projects that process minerals in the U.S. or allied countries.
  • Partner countries, researchers, and workers: Partner countries would get mapping assistance, prospectivity studies, remote sensing analysis, and training at universities and local institutions. The bill also supports training on environmental and workplace standards for government and private-sector officials.
  • Federal coordination and supply-chain protection: The Interior Secretary would work with the State Department and consult private sector actors when choosing partners. Mapping data must be protected from unauthorized access by non-allied entities and the Secretary must notify Congress at least 30 days before any MOU.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Key definitions for mapping program

This bill would define terms the mapping agreements use. It would say the 'Secretary' means the Interior Secretary acting through the USGS Director. An 'allied foreign country' would be one with a U.S. mutual defense treaty or agreement. A 'partner foreign country' would be a source of a critical mineral or rare earth. The bill would adopt the Energy Act of 2020 definition of 'critical mineral' and use the Higher Education Act definition of 'institution of higher education.' It would list the covered rare earth elements: cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, and yttrium.

U.S. agreements to map critical minerals

This bill would let the Interior Department, through the USGS Director, make agreements with foreign agencies to map critical minerals and rare earths. It would require the Secretary to notify Congress at least 30 days before signing any agreement. The Secretary would work with the Secretary of State and consult private-sector actors when choosing partners. The agreements would give U.S. or allied-headquartered companies a right of first refusal to develop resources, push for financing that favors processing in the United States or allied countries, and require mapping data be protected from non-party or non-allied access. Cooperative work would include geologic and remote sensing data collection, mineral assessments, mapping products, training, and higher-education exchanges.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

VA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 8/15/2025

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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