Bill · S. 2860· Senate(119-S-2860)
Revitalizing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Tim Sheehy
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act" aims to increase the extraction of critical minerals from the U.S. offshore seabed. It requires government agencies to speed up the process for issuing exploration licenses, commercial recovery permits, and leases. The bill also directs the government to map priority seabed areas and identify which minerals are essential for energy, manufacturing, and defense. Additionally, it promotes partnerships with allies to develop these resources and counter the influence of China.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would business owners be better off under this?+7
Provides expedited permitting and competitiveness for U.S. companies in the mineral sector.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+7
Directly supports investment and leadership in deep sea science and mapping.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+6
Promotes strategic partnerships with allies to counter the influence of China.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
Expediting permits may lead to reduced oversight and risks to ocean ecosystems.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?-2
Accelerated seabed leasing may conflict with comprehensive land/sea management goals.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-2
Streamlined permitting processes may reduce the window for public comment or due process.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Growth and Security: The bill aims to strengthen the U.S. economy and secure the energy future by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals (Section 2).
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National Defense: By creating a domestic supply chain for minerals essential for defense infrastructure and military preparedness, it seeks to improve national security (Section 2).
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Support for U.S. Businesses: The bill mandates that the expedited permitting processes for exploration and leasing be carried out to ensure competitiveness for United States companies (Section 4(a)).
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Scientific Advancement: It promotes investment and leadership in deep sea science, mapping, and extraction technology (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Oversight: The bill calls for "streamlined permitting" to rapidly develop domestic capabilities, which could potentially affect the thoroughness of the review process (Section 2).
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Environmental Risks: While the bill mentions not compromising environmental standards, the push to "accelerate" and "expedite" the recovery of minerals from the seabed may introduce risks to ocean ecosystems (Section 2 and Section 4(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+6Improves Diplomatic Engagement+5Improves International Trade+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+6Increases Job Creation+5Reduces Inflation+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+7Good For Union Workers+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+7
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+4Improves Environmental Protections-4Improves Public Land Management-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Due Process-2
- 2/12/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas