UPDATE: It’s possible (even likely) the U.S. Senate will vote on Stauber’s resolution as soon as Wednesday, April 15. We’ll share news as it develops this week, pending a Senate vote.

Congress returns from its two-week recess this week. Lawmakers in Washington will be navigating a host of issues in the coming weeks, from the war in Iran to a slate of government funding issues.

For the Boundary Waters region, the U.S. Senate could vote on H.R. 140 as soon as this week. The bill was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota in the U.S. House. The House passed the resolution 214–208 Jan. 21, which aims to overturn a 20-year mining ban on Superior National Forest outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Senate must vote on the bill no later than April 27, as the 60-legislative-day deadline under the Congressional Review Act approaches. Stauber used the CRA in his attempt to overturn the mineral withdrawal (mining ban) on Superior National Forest. The use of the CRA to overturn the mining ban did not sit well with some senators, including Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Klobuchar, who is in the race to be the next governor of Minnesota, has said she will not support H.R. 140 if the Senate votes on it.

Meanwhile, last month Stauber wrote an op-ed piece urging the Senate to vote on and approve his bill. Rather than focus on renewable energy, the need for high-paying jobs near Ely, or other economic factors as he’s done in the past in his longstanding efforts to move a proposed copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters forward, Stauber focused on the war in Iran.

From Stauber’s op-ed: “As I write this, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and F-35 fighters are flying sorties over Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury. Our brave airmen and women are executing their mission with precision, power and courage that should make every American proud. But while our military delivers results in the skies over Tehran, the U.S. Senate has an equally consequential responsibility here at home.

The Senate must pass my resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s mining ban. This is not about Northern Minnesota. It is about whether the U.S. has the minerals necessary to build the aircraft, munitions and systems required to fight — and win — the wars of the future.

Every B-2 Spirit that penetrated Iranian air defenses during Operation Epic Fury, every F-35 that flew combat sorties, and every precision-guided munition that struck its target share one thing in common: they all rely on critical minerals. Copper. Nickel. Cobalt. Platinum. Palladium. These are not abstractions. They are the physical building blocks behind American air dominance.”

Groups like Save the Boundary Waters and Friends of the Boundary Waters are waiting to see if the Senate will vote on H.R. 140 before April 27. If the vote is going to occur, advocates within each organization say they will know with at least a notice of 24 hours that the vote will take place.

The Senate officially reconvenes at 3 p.m. Monday, April 13. Stauber’s bill, H.R. 140, is not currently listed as an agenda item on the Senate’s calendar.

We’ll update any significant news about Stauber’s bill on the Paddle and Portage Podcast.

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