Hal Quinn: Legislation would give a leg up to manufacturing

Yesterday, I authored an op-ed in Roll Call discussing the passage of H.R. 4402, the “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act,” in the House of Representatives and the opposition the bill is facing from the White House.

If approved by the Senate and president, H.R. 4402 would alleviate hardships facing manufacturers who transform mineral inputs into automobiles, electronics, construction materials, defense technologies and countless end-products that affect almost every aspect of our lives. This legislation aims to establish a more efficient permitting process that will attract investment in U.S. mining and see more domestic minerals put to use in vital U.S. industries.

For too long we have dealt with the negative effects of our inefficient permitting process and its implications throughout the supply chain. Despite the more than $6.2 trillion worth of minerals resources within U.S. borders, our outdated, duplicative permitting process forced domestic companies to import about $6.9 billion worth of minerals—more than half of their total consumption.

Through a revised permitting and regulatory system, the U.S. can create American jobs and grow our nation’s economy, instead of creating foreign jobs and growing the economies of our competitors.

Our nation needs a 21st-century permitting system to address 21st-century challenges. Through legislation such as the “National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act,” the United States can create a welcoming business environment that will attract investment, strengthen domestic manufacturing and drive our economy forward.