The Trump administration and a bipartisan group of mining-state lawmakers want to unleash federal support for domestic copper production, Daniel writes.

Why it matters: Copper is a key component in EVs and many other products, and a legislative push to add the metal to the USGS critical mineral list could unlock funding and investment.

• And a Commerce Department trade investigation could result in new copper import tariffs.

Driving the news: Senate Energy and Natural Resources plans a hearing Wednesday on Chair Mike Lee's Critical Mineral Consistency Act and a slate of other minerals bills.

• In 2023, the Energy Department added copper to its list of 18 "critical materials," which includes those crucial to energy technologies and face risks of supply disruptions by 2035.
• But USGS left copper — essential to power grid components, wind turbines and transmission lines as well as EVs — off its separate list of "critical minerals."
• Lee's legislation would require alignment between the two lists.

Zoom in: Sen. John Curtis of Utah, a sponsor, told Daniel that copper feeds critical industries, "especially green energy, clean energy."

• "The calculus that I come from a copper state is not the motivator — it's that we need more copper," Curtis said.

Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani, who sponsored the House version last session, told Daniel that he plans to reintroduce it soon.

• "We mean for this to be bipartisan, hopefully, again," he said of his bill, which 44 Democrats voted for last year.
• "It goes into the whole energy policy that this administration wants to do as well."

Zoom out: Some say the lists are a symbolic but important signal to investors that the government is backing supply chains on national security grounds.

Yes, but: Even with federal recognition, copper faces permitting hurdles stemming from concerns about mining's impacts on sacred tribal lands, endangered species, and water.

• Rio Tinto's Resolution Mine has been mired in litigation for years. The Supreme Court heard a challenge to its permit last fall.

Between the lines: Tariffs, a favorite tool of President Trump, could raise prices or create supply-chain bottlenecks for manufacturers.

• If tariffs are imposed, "businesses need some certainty as to where they can import or where they should be planning to get their copper resources," said Spencer Pederson, senior vice president of public affairs at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
• Domestic supplies of copper and other minerals should be expanded, "but that can't happen overnight," he said.

Let's get you caught up on three big policy developments, Nick writes.

💵 1. Deadline looms: House Republicans released a CR over the weekend to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year ahead of Friday's deadline.

Why it matters: It's going to be a fight to prevent a shutdown, with Republicans framing it as a "clean" stopgap and top Democrats already voicing full-throated opposition.

Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Patty Murray said in a memo that the lack of an explanatory statement would give Trump vast authority to "reshape spending priorities."

• That could allow the administration to make big changes to clean energy, climate science and public lands spending, Democrats argue.

👀 2. GOP IRA backers: Rep. Andrew Garbarino and 20 other House Republicans yesterday fired off a fresh letter to Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith warning that repeal of the IRA's energy credits could mean "drastically higher power bills for American families."

Why it matters: The letter, first reported by Politico, is a significant escalation of the campaign to keep the IRA's lucrative incentives in place in reconciliation following the now-famous missive that moderates sent to leadership last year.

• This year's version has new signatories, including Reps. Gabe Evans and Dan Newhouse.

🚗 3. CRA machinations: The Government Accountability Office said Thursday that California's auto emissions rules can't be overturned via the Congressional Review Act.

Why it matters: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin had asked Congress to use the law to nix California's regulatory waivers granted under the Clean Air Act.

• Democrats requested the opinion from GAO, which acts as something of a referee for CRA jurisdiction. But Sen. Shelley Moore Capito plans to keep up the repeal fight.
• "There is nothing in the Congressional Review Act that allows GAO to overrule an agency's determination that an action is a rule under that statute," Capito spokesperson Brent Scott said in an email.

⛏️ 1. More mining: Senate Foreign Relations plans a markup tomorrow on Sen. John Cornyn's bipartisan bill that would require the State Department to develop a plan to combat illicit gold mining.

• Meanwhile, Wednesday's Senate ENR hearing will also feature the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, which would address how waste and mill sites are considered on public land after the Rosemont decision.

🛢️ 2. Brownfields, green pastures: House Energy and Commerce's environment subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow on reauthorizing EPA's Brownfields Program.

👀 3. Disaster zone: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a markup Wednesday on two bipartisan bills aimed at simplifying the government's massively complex system of disaster aid.

🔋 4. Charging up: Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation on Wednesday will consider legislation that would require regulation of the lithium ion batteries used in scooters and e-bikes to protect against fires.

🎤 5. Speaking of batteries: Legislation that would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from buying certain Chinese-made batteries is set for consideration on the House floor this week.