Coordinating and Harnessing America's Recovery of Minerals Act

A bipartisan bill telling the EPA to write a plan for pulling valuable minerals out of America's trash, because China controls most of the world's supply of them and everyone agrees that's a problem. The debate was short, friendly, and almost entirely mutual compliments: Republicans praised the bill's author for years of warning about China, the ranking Democrat agreed, and both sides urged a yes vote. Nobody argued, nobody dug into the details, and the EPA gets another planning-and-reporting job. Which, to be fair, is what the EPA does best.Written by GLM 5.3 Flash. Updated .

Official Congressional Record (opens in a new tab)

Brett Guthrie, KY

Republican
“I want the House to skip the normal rules. I want to pass this bill right away. This bill tells the EPA to make a plan for getting important minerals from trash.”
51% shorter Analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9617) to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate a National Critical Mineral Recovery Strategy, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: ``Sec. 2009. National Critical Mineral Recovery Strategy.''.

Brett Guthrie, KY

Republican
“I want the EPA to plan how to get valuable minerals from trash. This is a good bill. I want everyone to vote for it.”
85% shorter Analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Environment Subcommittee Chairman Palmer and Ranking Member Tonko, for introducing H.R. 9617, the Coordinating and Harnessing America's Recovery of Minerals Act, or CHARM Act. Throughout this Congress, our committee has examined opportunities to recover critical minerals from discarded materials, such as mine waste, coal combustion materials, end-of-life electronics, and produced water. The CHARM Act is a product of a lot of this work. This bill directs the EPA, in consultation with Federal agencies, to develop a national critical mineral recovery strategy in coordination with other Federal agencies. EPA already has the expertise in recovery of valuable materials from discarded materials, and the agency is well-positioned to lead these efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House to support the passage of this bipartisan legislation. I appreciate the hard work of Chairman Palmer and Ranking Member Tonko, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Lizzie Fletcher, TX

Democrat
“I want the EPA to plan how to get valuable minerals from trash. I agree with the last guy. China has too many of these minerals. That is bad for us. We should get our own minerals from trash. This bill is good. I want everyone to vote for it.”
85% shorter Analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9617, the CHARM Act, bipartisan legislation led by our committee's Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Tonko and Chairman Palmer. Critical minerals are a vital component of many modern technologies, from our cell phones to clean energy technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles. As the world continues to invest in these technologies, the demand for these minerals will only increase. However, the United States is heavily reliant on imports for many critical materials, leaving us exposed to geopolitical supply chain risks. China currently possesses a stranglehold on much of the critical mineral supply chain and has already demonstrated a willingness to leverage this dominance by restricting exports to the United States and other countries. This poses serious economic and energy security risks. Critical mineral recovery offers a resourceful solution to this problem. Looking at discarded materials like e-waste and other end-of- life products promotes resource efficiency, boosts resiliency, helps alleviate supply chain pressures, and reduces the need to mine new minerals. This bipartisan bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a national critical mineral recovery strategy to coordinate Federal efforts to recover critical minerals from discarded materials, tapping into an important domestic feedstock that is easily overlooked. This strategy can help our Nation collect the information to bolster our domestic critical mineral supply chains. It will build on EPA's ongoing efforts under the bipartisan infrastructure law, without compromising the environment or public health. For too long, we have allowed valuable critical minerals to go to landfills, never to be recovered. This must change if we want to remain globally competitive and reduce our dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals. While there is much more work to do to scale our domestic recycling and recovery efforts, this is an important and commonsense step forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Brett Guthrie, KY

Republican
“I am giving time to my friend Mr. Palmer. He has led on this issue. Many critical minerals are processed in China. He has been warning we need to act. The administration and Congress are now moving forward because of his work.”
46% shorter Analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer), the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee and my good friend who has been an absolute leader on the critical mineral issue. We have seen that most of them are developed and processed in China, and he has been waving the flag that we need to get ahead of that. We now have an administration and Congress moving forward because of the work of this man.

Gary J. Palmer, AL

Republican
“I thank my friend Mr. Guthrie. I want the House to pass my bill. We need 33 important minerals. We import most of them. We depend on China for 14. That is dangerous. China has used that against us. My friend Mr. Tonko and I worked with our subcommittee. We looked for ways to find minerals here in the U.S.. Our bill is the result. This bill directs the EPA to make a national plan. The EPA will look for ways to recover minerals from discarded materials. It will find barriers to that. It will look at how recovered minerals can help our supply chains. The committee supported this bill. I ask the full House to pass it.”
58% shorter Analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Guthrie, for all of his help. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 9617. According to the United States Geological Survey, of the 33 important critical minerals--the majority of which that our country needs is being imported--the United States depends on China as a major source for 14 of them. This should be a major source of concern to everyone because China has already demonstrated its willingness to leverage our supply chain vulnerabilities in recent years. To address this alarming situation, my friend, Ranking Member Paul Tonko, and I, along with our colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, have explored opportunities to identify untapped, nontraditional sources of critical minerals right here in the United States. The bipartisan CHARM Act is a product of these efforts throughout the 119th Congress. I thank my colleague, Ranking Member Tonko, again, for joining me in advancing this legislation. This legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency to work with other relevant agencies to develop a national critical mineral recovery strategy. In furthering this strategy, EPA will identify its own programs and authorities that could increase recovery of critical minerals from discarded materials, as well as those at other Federal agencies. It will pinpoint opportunities to address legal and technological barriers to recovering critical minerals from discarded materials. EPA will also identify potential sources of critical minerals in discarded materials and evaluate the role of these recovered materials in strengthening domestic supply chains. The committee advanced this legislation with across-the-board bipartisan support, and I encourage my colleagues in the full House to support its passage.

Brett Guthrie, KY

Republican

Linked statement

“I want to thank both sides for working together. I think this bill is very important. The gentleman from Alabama did good work on this. I want the House to vote 'yes'.”
33% shorter Analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hard bipartisan work and can't overstate how important this is and how important the lead of the gentleman from Alabama has been on this issue. I strongly encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

More from issue 145

All 101 items ·
  1. House of Representatives Am Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 6 statements
  2. House of Representatives access to emergency information without delays. 4 statements
  3. House of Representatives Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act 6 statements
  4. House of Representatives Combating Illicit Xylazine Act 6 statements
  5. House of Representatives Tyler's Law 5 statements
  6. House of Representatives Stop Pills That Kill Act 5 statements
  7. House of Representatives Coordinating and Harnessing America's Recovery of Minerals Act 6 statements
  8. House of Representatives Battery Recycling for America's Competitive Economy Act 5 statements
  9. House of Representatives Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025 5 statements
  10. House of Representatives Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At... 8 statements
  11. House of Representatives Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative Authorization Act of 2026 5 statements
  12. House of Representatives End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act 6 statements
  13. House of Representatives Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act 7 statements
  14. House of Representatives Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act 6 statements
  15. House of Representatives Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act 8 statements
  16. House of Representatives Returning Japanese Citizens Abducted by North Korea 2 statements
  17. House of Representatives Honoring Pastor Tim Hester 3 statements
  18. House of Representatives Honoring Life and Legacy of George Dean 2 statements
  19. House of Representatives Honoring Titusville Police Officer Jason Van Zile 5 statements
  20. House of Representatives Honoring Life and Legacy of Michael Glavey 2 statements
  21. House of Representatives Retirement of Spokane County Clerk Tim Fitzgerald 3 statements
  22. House of Representatives Lessons on New Mexico's History 4 statements
  23. House of Representatives Honoring the Life of Rodney Eagle 4 statements
  24. House of Representatives Providing for Consideration of H.R. 9576, National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026; Providing for Consideration of H.R. 10326, Preventing Rip-Offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act... 13 statements
  25. House of Representatives Recognizing Chicago Alderperson Michael Rodriguez 3 statements
  26. House of Representatives Ratepayer Protection Act 14 statements
  27. House of Representatives Application of Leave Provisions for Members of the Armed Forces to Members of the Public Health Service 7 statements
  28. House of Representatives High-Capacity Grid Act 5 statements
  29. House of Representatives Load Forecasting Enhancement Act 5 statements
  30. House of Representatives Recognizing South Stokes High School Marine Corps Jrotc 3 statements
  31. House of Representatives Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act 5 statements
  32. House of Representatives American Music Tourism Act of 2025 7 statements
  33. House of Representatives Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month 3 statements
  34. House of Representatives Remembering Principles That Built America 2 statements
  35. House of Representatives Recognizing New Jersey Ballet 2 statements
  36. Senate Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (Executive Calendar) 2 statements
  37. Senate Protect College Sports Act (Executive Calendar) 3 statements
  38. Senate Protect College Sports Act (Executive Calendar) 2 statements