AFPI Responds to the Senate Passage of the Congressional Review Act Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Zach Freimark, State Director for AFPI-Minnesota, and Ted Ellis, Campaign Director for Power America at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), issued the following statements following Senate passage of Rep. Pete Stauber’s Congressional Review Act resolution (H.J. Res. 140), which would overturn the 20-year mineral moratorium in northern Minnesota:

“The Senate’s passage of H.J. Res. 140 is a win for northern Minnesota workers, American mineral security, and a more balanced approach to land management. Minnesota should not be locked out of responsible development by a one-size-fits-all federal withdrawal when our communities can help supply the materials America needs to build, manufacture, and compete,” said Zach Freimark, AFPI State Director for Minnesota.

“The Senate’s action is a reminder that America cannot talk about resilience, reindustrialization, and supply-chain security while placing more of our own mineral wealth off limits. A stronger country requires more domestic production, less dependence on foreign sources, and public-land decisions that serve the national interest instead of permanent managed scarcity,” said Ted Ellis, Campaign Director for Power America.

H.J. Res. 140 would disapprove the federal action that withdrew a large portion of federal land in the Superior National Forest watershed from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years. 

AFPI research explains why restoring access to domestic mineral development is part of a serious America First strategy for industrial strength, secure supply chains, and reduced dependence on foreign adversaries. Freimark and Ellis' recent op-ed on restoring Minnesota's future is available here.