Minnesota State Wire

Pete Stauber, representative of Minnesota, announced that House Republicans are advancing a reconciliation bill aimed at cutting spending by $18.5 billion while promoting domestic energy and mineral production. The statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Today, House Committee on Natural Resources is marking up our portion of the budget reconciliation bill to save taxpayers $18.5 BILLION," said Stauber. "Unleashing American energy and mineral dominance. House Republicans are committed to making sure your hard-earned taxpayer dollars are spent wisely."

In May 2025, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources advanced a budget reconciliation proposal focused on boosting domestic energy and mineral development. According to Reuters, the plan includes 30 lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and expanded auctions in Alaska. It proposes reduced royalty rates for drillers and post-2035 revenue shifts that would allocate 90% of lease income to Alaska. Critics argue that the bill disproportionately benefits fossil fuel companies. The reconciliation approach allows passage without Democratic support in the Senate.

According to a press release from the House Natural Resources Committee, the reconciliation proposal is projected to yield over $18.5 billion in revenue and savings—far surpassing the committee’s initial $1 billion target. These gains are expected to come from expanded leasing activities, regulatory rollbacks, and streamlined permitting processes, helping to offset other tax provisions in the broader legislative package.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that in 2023, U.S. energy production totaled 102.83 quadrillion British thermal units (quads), surpassing the 93.59 quads of domestic consumption. As detailed in the EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2025, fossil fuels—primarily petroleum, natural gas, and coal—made up about 84% of the country’s primary energy production, underscoring their continued economic significance despite renewable growth.

Representative Stauber chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. According to his official biography, he has prioritized expanding U.S. energy independence and reducing reliance on foreign minerals. He also serves on the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Small Business.