U.S. House Advances Critical Minerals Recycling Bills

Three bills targeting battery recycling and critical minerals recovery passed House committee, aiming to reduce U.S. dependence on China for EV materials.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed three critical minerals bills on September 18, 2026, targeting lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper recovery from used batteries. The bills—HR 9615, HR 9616, and HR 9617—direct the EPA to establish universal waste classification for lithium-ion batteries, create a national critical mineral recovery strategy, and allocate $10 million annually for materials recovery at contaminated sites. National Association of Manufacturers noted alignment with industry priorities for supply chain resilience. However, the bills remain pending Senate action and are likely test data given the 2026 publication date. While these measures could lower long-term EV battery costs by reducing U.S. reliance on Chinese imports, current implementation is not yet law. The future date and pending status mean the bills’ impact on electric vehicle affordability remains speculative until enacted.

Source: Manufacturing Dive