Congress·Passed House·H.R. 3872

House Passes MERICA Act, Requiring Federal Leases for Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands

MERICA Act of 2025

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Congress Moves to Overhaul Hardrock Mining Laws with Royalties and Leases

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

✓ House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Expands an existing federal law so it also covers mining for hard rock minerals like gold, copper, and other metals on certain federal lands.
Makes companies get federal leases, not just old-style mining claims, when they want to mine these hard rock minerals on lands the government has acquired.
Clarifies what counts as a hard rock mineral, such as base metals and gemstones, and what does not, like coal, oil, gas, and common building materials.
Could bring in more money to the federal government from mining and allow more modern rules on environmental protection and land use.
Mining towns, nearby landowners, and tribal communities could see changes in how new mines are approved and how close they can be to homes, water, and cultural sites.

EnergyEnvironmentAgricultureEconomyInfrastructure

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(3)

Chronic Illness

Neutral

Child Tax Credit

Neutral

Federal Employee

Neutral

Milestones

6 milestones18 actions

Dec 16, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Dec 15, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 15, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)

Dec 15, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)

Dec 15, 2025House

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3872.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law

Federal agencies update leasing guidance to include hardrock minerals on acquired lands

Companies and the public may start seeing new application requirements, new forms, and clearer “yes/no” decisions about whether a lease is needed for certain mining projects on these lands.

Related News

1 article

Nasdaq·about 2 months ago

Cotton, Cruz Introduce Bill to Expand Hardrock Mineral Leasing on Federal Lands

Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz introduced the Senate version of the MERICA Act. The bill would list hardrock minerals like gold and silver alongside coal and oil as leasable deposits, allowing for increased mining activity on lands acquired by the federal government.

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