WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 3617 · 119th Congress

Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act

Passed HouseEnergy
IntroducedMay 29, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 11, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Feb 12, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The House passed it 223–206. From Iowa: Mariannette Miller-Meeks cosponsors it. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 3617 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Feb 12, 2026).

42 U.S.C. 7101 Definitions

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 3 Securing critical energy resource supply chains
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 7101added (d)by H.R. 3617 Sec. 2(1)

    (d) As used in sections 102(20) and 203(a)(12), the term critical energy resource means any energy resource—(1) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States; and(2) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption.

    The bill says: in section 2, by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 7101)

  2. 42 U.S.C. 7101added (20)by H.R. 3617 Sec. 2(2)

    (20) To ensure there is an adequate and reliable supply of critical energy resources that are essential to the energy security of the United States.

    The bill says: in section 102, by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 7101)

  3. 42 U.S.C. 7101added (12)by H.R. 3617 Sec. 2(3)

    (12) Functions that relate to securing the supply of critical energy resources, including identifying and mitigating the effects of a disruption of such supply on—(A) the development and use of energy technologies; and(B) the operation of energy systems.

    The bill says: in section 203(a), by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 7101)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to secure the supply of critical energy resources that are essential to the energy security of the United States. A critical energy resource means an energy resource (1) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States, and (2) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption.

As part of its duties, DOE must conduct ongoing assessments of

• energy resource criticality,

• the U.S. supply chain of critical energy resources and its vulnerabilities,

• the diversity of domestic critical energy resource supply chains,

• capacity constraints on the domestic production of critical energy resources,

• federal regulations affecting the domestic production or importation of critical energy resources,

• how energy security is affected by reliance on imports of critical energy resources, and

• how adversarial nations seek to exploit critical energy resource markets to undermine investment in the United States.

DOE must also

• facilitate the development of strategies to strengthen critical energy resource supply chains,

• develop substitutes and alternatives to critical energy resources, and

• improve technology that reuses and recycles critical energy resources.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Sep 11, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Feb 11, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 223 - 206 (Roll no. 64). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  2. Sep 11, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-268.Library of Congress
  3. May 29, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 28 recorded actions

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Feb 11, 2026 · HousePassed 223–206
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 214 yes, 1 noD 9 yes, 205 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Feb 11, 2026 · HouseFailed 214–215
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 215 noD 214 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

From Iowa

Everyone else (3)

  • Neal P. Dunn R-FL-2
  • Erin Houchin R-IN-9
  • Jay Obernolte R-CA-23