Sponsors (5)
The bill prioritizes protecting marine ecosystems and vulnerable coastal/Indigenous communities by pausing seabed mining and pushing for science-based international rules, at the cost of delaying access to seabed minerals needed for some clean-energy supply chains and risking diplomatic friction and displacement of mining to less-regulated jurisdictions.
Coastal, fishing, and Indigenous communities are less likely to suffer environmental, economic, and cultural harm from seabed mining while the moratorium is in effect.
Requiring International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulations to be informed by comprehensive science increases the likelihood of stronger international protections for marine biodiversity and ocean carbon sequestration.
U.S. opposition to public and private financing for seabed-mining projects could reduce investment in risky developments, limiting near-term environmental degradation and taxpayer exposure.
Manufacturers and tech workers could face delays in access to seabed minerals important for clean-energy and technology supply chains, potentially raising costs and slowing deployment.
The moratorium and U.S. opposition to permitting/financing may shift investment and mining activity to countries or jurisdictions with weaker environmental standards, undermining global protections and reducing U.S. leverage.
Opposing international permitting and financing could strain diplomatic relations and complicate multilateral negotiations at the ISA, reducing U.S. influence in international forums.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs U.S. representatives to call for a moratorium and oppose financing of deep seabed mining in the international seabed area until the ISA issues binding, science-based regulations and the President certifies them.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Ed Case · Last progress January 23, 2025
Directs the President to have U.S. representatives to international organizations call for a moratorium on permitting, financing, and conducting deep seabed mining in the international seabed area until the International Seabed Authority (ISA) adopts a full, binding regulatory framework based on comprehensive scientific understanding. Requires the President to withhold support and oppose financing for deep seabed mining activities internationally until the President submits a certification and accompanying report showing the ISA regulations are promulgated, reflect scientific consensus, and will effectively protect the marine environment and communities that depend on it.