House defeats all Dem amendments to GOP mining bill

The House on Thursday turned away five Democratic amendments to a bill aimed at streamlining the process of winning federal mining permits, including proposals to narrow the kinds of permits that could benefit from the bill, and require companies to pay royalties to the government.

The House did accept two Republican amendments to the bill, H.R. 4402, just before the final vote.

One of these is from Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), which would limit the application of Forest Service access restrictions on areas identified for mineral development. The other, from Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.), which let pending permit applications to benefit from the streamlining process under the bill.

Vote results on amendments follow here:

• Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), to narrow the definition of "strategic and critical minerals" in the bill to only include minerals identified by the National Research Council as "critical," and other minerals identified by the Secretary of the Interior. The list could not include sand, gravel or clay. Failed 162-251.

• Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), to extend the 30-month time limit on the mineral permit review process up to another year. Failed 162-252.

• Ed Markey (D-Mass.), to require a royalty payment of 12.5 percent of the value of any minerals extracted on federal land under permits for hardrock mineral exploration. Failed 163-253.

• Don Young (R-Alaska), to limit application of Forest Service access restrictions on areas identified for mineral development. Passed 238-178.

• Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.), to allow pending applications to be covered by the bill's streamlining procedures. Passed by voice vote.

• Hastings (D-Fla.), to allow payment of attorneys fees only to nonprofits and individuals for activities under the act. Failed in voice vote.

• Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), to prohibit mineral permits for any activity that would affect hunting, fishing, grazing or recreation on public lands. Failed 167-248.