LegislativeJun 22, 2026Congress

CRS: U.S. OCS Seabed Mining Policy Advances Critical Mineral Supply-Chain Resilience Agenda

Executive Summary

CRS R48302 reviews BOEM's authority and emerging lease-sale pipeline for critical mineral extraction on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, covering planned sales offshore American Samoa (Aug 2026), CNMI (Nov 2026), Alaska (Dec 2026), and Virginia (2027) under EO 14285. Congress is weighing leasing framework reforms, Jones Act implications for vessel operations, and onshore processing requirements to reduce import dependence on foreign critical mineral suppliers.

Legal / Policy Context

Policy instruments

Jones ActIEEPA

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Executive Summary

Legal / Policy Context

Policy instruments

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