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The House passed a resolution to overturn a 20-year ban on mining and mineral leasing across more than 225,000 acres of federal land in northern Minnesota. The measure passed 214-208, falling almost entirely along party lines.
The House voted on H.J.Res. 140, a resolution that cancels a 2023 decision by the Bureau of Land Management to prohibit mining in the Superior National Forest for 20 years. This area, located in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis counties, is near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and contains significant deposits of minerals like copper and nickel. This was a final vote on the resolution using the Congressional Review Act, a tool that allows Congress to strike down specific rules made by federal agencies. Because this is a joint resolution, it requires approval from both the House and the Senate and the President's signature to take effect. If successful, it not only removes the current ban but also prevents the agency from issuing a similar ban in the future. The resolution passed by a narrow margin of just two votes. Republicans argued that reopening the area to mining would boost the local economy and provide minerals necessary for green technology. Democrats argued that mining poses an unacceptable risk of pollution to a unique and protected wilderness watershed. The measure now moves to the Senate.
The resolution moves to the Senate for consideration, where it must also pass to be sent to the President.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This vote centers on the conflict between domestic mineral production for the green energy transition and the protection of one of America's most sensitive wilderness ecosystems.
Who’s affected. Mining companies: Would gain the ability to explore and develop massive copper-nickel deposits in the region. · Environmentalists and recreation businesses: Face the potential for long-term water pollution and industrialization near the protected Boundary Waters wilderness. · Iron Range residents: Could see an increase in industrial jobs but also potential impacts to local water quality.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus voted almost unanimously against the resolution, with only one member breaking ranks to support it.
Republicans. The Republican caucus voted nearly unanimously in favor, with only one member voting against it.
On Passage
Jan 21, 2026
The House passed a resolution to overturn a 20-year ban on mining and mineral leasing across more than 225,000 acres of federal land in northern Minnesota.
The measure passed 214-208, falling almost entirely along party lines.
This is a final vote in the House to pass a joint resolution using the Congressional Review Act. Passing this measure is the House's formal way of attempting to cancel a specific executive branch regulation.
The resolution moves to the Senate for consideration, where it must also pass to be sent to the President.
This vote centers on the conflict between domestic mineral production for the green energy transition and the protection of one of America's most sensitive wilderness ecosystems.
The vote was strictly along party lines, with the Republican majority supporting the measure and the Democratic minority opposing it.
The Democratic caucus voted almost unanimously against the resolution, with only one member breaking ranks to support it.
The Republican caucus voted nearly unanimously in favor, with only one member voting against it.
The single independent member joined the Republicans in voting 'yea'.