Sponsors (5)
The bill prioritizes stronger, science-based protections for deep-sea ecosystems and halts domestic support for seabed mining to avoid environmental harm, but it risks slowing access to minerals for clean-energy supply chains and shifting economic activity (and leverage) to other countries while creating diplomatic tensions.
Marine ecosystems and communities (including indigenous and coastal fishing communities) will face stronger protections because the bill pushes ISA regulations to be informed by comprehensive science, which can raise standards for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Coastal, fishing, and indigenous communities will be less likely to suffer direct harm while the moratorium pauses seabed-mining activities, reducing near-term local environmental and cultural impacts.
U.S. action to oppose permitting and financing will likely reduce private and public investment in risky seabed projects, lowering the chance of early-stage environmental degradation and limiting taxpayer exposure to project-related costs.
Manufacturers and clean‑energy supply chains (including tech and battery industries) may face delays or higher costs because the moratorium and U.S. opposition slow development of seabed mineral resources some industries consider critical.
U.S. taxpayers and policymakers may lose leverage over mining practices if interest and investment shift to nations with weaker standards, potentially resulting in worse environmental outcomes abroad and reduced U.S. influence.
State governments and U.S. negotiators may face strained diplomatic relations and more complicated multilateral negotiations at the ISA because opposing permitting and financing can create international friction.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs U.S. reps to seek a moratorium on permitting and oppose financing of international deep seabed mining until ISA adopts binding, science-based regulations and the President certifies them.
Directs U.S. officials to push for a pause on permitting and financing of deep seabed mining in the international seabed area until the International Seabed Authority (ISA) adopts full, binding, science-based regulations that will protect the marine environment. The President must ensure U.S. representatives call for this moratorium and must submit a certification and report showing the ISA regulations are in force, reflect scientific consensus, and will protect ocean ecosystems and communities that depend on them.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Ed Case · Last progress January 23, 2025