22-05-2025
Dems warn budget bill would undercut mineral production
House Republicans trying to highlight the nation's overreliance on China for critical minerals clashed with Democrats fuming over efforts to phase down or eliminate renewable energy incentives.
In response to concerns about the U.S. lagging behind other countries on mining and processing, Democrats said the GOP's tax, energy and border security megabill would make things worse.
'So much of the progress that we've made over the past two administrations is being sabotaged right now,' said Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) said during an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing. Castor co-chaired a Critical Mineral Policy Working Group and helped craft bipartisan legislation during the past Congress.
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The budget reconciliation bill would roll back spending and energy incentives from the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, including tax credits for wind, solar and domestic manufacturing.
