Mining schools might get a big boost this Congress in a move aimed to ensure that progress continues on domestic mining, Jael writes.

Why it matters: Hard-rock mining has a serious workforce shortage problem. One recent survey found 71% of mining industry leaders believe that's holding them back from delivering on production targets and strategic objectives.

Driving the news: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee plans to include the bipartisan Mining Schools Act in its next markup, spokeswoman Sam Runyon told Axios.

• The bill, backed by Chairman Joe Manchin, would create a federal grant program for college mining programs and a professional development advisory board within the Energy Department.
• Industry representatives enthusiastically back the bill and anticipate that it will help recruit new talent.
• "The opportunities are great, particularly in a lot of rural areas where these mines are where the average pay is probably about half that," said Katie Sweeney of the National Mining Association (more on that below).

Between the lines: This is likely to get broad backing because mining employment plays to regional constituencies, many of which lean Republican.

• Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman — whose state is benefiting from booming demand for lithium mining — told Jael on the House steps that he sees this as an area to "find some common ground."
• "It's important that we educate more people in mining engineering," he said.

Yes, but: With the House bitterly divided over much broader issues, it's anyone's guess right now how single-issue legislation like this can become law without being attached to a larger vehicle.

• Companion legislation is before Westerman's committee. There are no plans as of now to mark up the bill before the end of the month, GOP spokeswoman Rebekah Hoshiko told Jael.

A bill that would block restrictions on gas-powered cars passed the House this afternoon with eight Democrats voting "aye," Jael writes.

Why it matters: As with whales and windmills, Republicans have found a way to get Democrats on board undermining the energy transition — even if the measure has little chance in the Democratic Senate.

Driving the news: The House passed, 222-190, a bill that would amend the Clean Air Act to limit states' ability to curb the sale of cars with internal combustion engines.

• The measure would also let the EPA revoke waivers given to states so they could set stricter emissions standards than what's at the federal level, something California and other blue states have done.

The big picture: Former President Trump's EV skepticism is likely trickling down to the rest of the party faithful ... and dribbling across party lines.

• Support for EVs is becoming controversial in the mainstream press amid a looming auto workers strike.
• "There's no such thing as a 'fair transition' to all electric cars. For the American Autoworker, that's a transition to Hell," Trump said in a statement Wednesday intended for union members.

Katie Sweeney, executive vice president of the National Mining Association, is one of Washington's women to watch for minerals policy expertise.

Why it matters: In a male-dominated industry, Sweeney has forged her way over decades through a drive to once again make the U.S. a sought-after destination for mining.

Sweeney talked shop with Jael this summer while visiting the National Museum of Natural History's minerals exhibit.

She sounded off: "I would like to see the approval of one major mining project of any kind."

• Sweeney bristled because she says while one copper mine in Arizona has gotten some beneficial treatment, the Biden administration largely has won headlines on mining for standing in the way of big projects like Twin Metals in Minnesota and the Pebble Mine in Alaska.
• "They can say all these great things about needing mining and get some kudos from people who are surprised by the fact they would even do that," she said. "But if you still can't get anything out of the ground here, are we advancing the solution?"

Context: Mine permitting has lagged for years, even before the Biden administration.

• There are lots of reasons, from genuine difficulties meeting environmental standards to administrative delays and changes in designs.
• To its credit, the administration recently cleared an environmental impact statement for a large vanadium mine in Nevada and put one copper mine in Arizona onto a permit tracking dashboard.
• It's also funded a number of mining companies seeking to one day build a mine in the U.S., like nickel miner Talon Metals.

Sweeney hopes a future permitting deal changes the time frame available for litigation challenges. To her, that would be a real mining win.

• She sees Canada — a popular place for new mines — as proof it can be done well.
• "I know as a society we're probably more litigious than the Canadians," she said. "They tend to have that litigation done by the time the project is being approved."

Here are a few more important things we want to flag...

🚜 Ag IRA update: Fresh off our farm bill IRA scoop, House Ag Republicans put out a news release reasserting their desire to reprogram funds from the president's signature climate law.

• Earlier this week, Republicans were emphasizing that they wanted bipartisanship. We'll wait and see if this move helps.

🇨🇳 China, China, China: House China Select Chair Mike Gallagher sent an oversight letter yesterday (shared with Jael) to Gotion, a battery company with Chinese ties operating in Michigan.

• As we told you previously, Gotion is at the center of a push to restrict DOE money to companies that do business with Chinese firms.

💧Big 401 day: EPA finalized its Section 401 rulemaking today, undoing a Trump administration effort to limit state authority in water permitting.

• We expect this to come up on the Hill because Republicans sought to address Section 401 during talks on the debt limit permitting deal.

🌅 Helping the kelp: Rep. Jared Huffman and Sen. Jeff Merkley unveiled a bill today to create a kelp conservation grant program within NOAA.

• Did you know a lot of kelp in the Pacific is dying off right now?