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U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis commenting on H.R. 761 the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013, which was passed today by the U.S. House and was sponsored by U.S. Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV), issued the following statement:

“Right now, nearly all of our rare earth minerals are imported from countries like China.  These minerals are used in our everyday devices, from cell phones to medical equipment, and are also necessary for national defense and manufacturing.  This near total and dangerous dependence on others for our critical minerals is senseless.  We have much of the minerals we need right here in Wyoming.  Unfortunately we also have truckloads of red tape that we don’t need.  Among the top 25 mining countries in the world, the United States ranks last, right alongside Papua New Guinea in mine permit delays. The bi-partisan National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 will help us cut through this red tape to restore the many mining jobs that have fled overseas, enhance our independence and national defense, and secure critical materials for U.S. manufacturing.”