RESCUE Act of 2025

The RESCUE Act of 2025 would amend the FAST Act to expand the definition of 'critical projects' to include activities related to extracting, recovering, or processing certain materials. Specifically, it would add projects involving extraction of rare earth elements and other minerals from sources like coal, coal waste, and mine tailings to the list of projects eligible for FAST-41 expedited permitting. FAST-41 is a federal program that provides coordinated permitting support and clearer timelines for infrastructure projects by improving coordination across federal agencies. If enacted, this bill would allow companies developing rare earth and critical mineral projects to potentially access FAST-41 benefits, which include dedicated project advisors, publicly posted permitting timetables, and transparent agency coordination. The bill is currently under consideration in the House Committee on Natural Resources and has not yet been voted on by the full chamber.