Mining Ban Near Minnesota Wilderness Area Repealed by Senate

The Senate Thursday rescinded a 20-year ban on mining on federal lands near a beloved wilderness area in Minnesota.

The measure (H.J. Res. 140), which the House passed in January, now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

The final vote was 50-49. Every Democrat as well as Republican Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Susan Collins (Maine) voted against the proposal.

Lawmakers passed the disapproval resolution under the Congressional Review Act, which only requires a majority vote in the Senate. If a measure is passed under the CRA, agencies can’t propose substantially similar rules ...