HERMANTOWN, Minn. –Second-term Congress member Pete Stauber, R-Minn., who views mining as economic asset, is not, as they say Up North, a “happy camper.” Stauber issued this statement about the U.S. Interior Department decision to yank federal mineral rights for PolyMet’s proposer nickel mine near Ely. Stauber’s statement:
“The Biden Administration’s announcement canceling these long-standing mineral leases will have devastating impacts on northern Minnesota and our nation. Let me be clear: President Biden is choosing to ban mining. He’s choosing foreign-sourced minerals, including mines that use child slave labor, over our own domestic, union workforce that follows the best labor and environmental standards in the world. The Biden Administration doesn’t have a plan for mineral independence. On one hand, they want massive taxpayer investments in electric vehicles, and on the other, they refuse to allow domestic mineral production as demand continues to skyrocket. Instead, this Administration has decided to leave American, blue-collar workers behind and bow to pressure from radicals who prefer to rely on foreign adversarial nations for these minerals.
Stauber Elected 2018, Former pro hockey player. Former police officer.