Democrat Tina Smith held the Senate floor for hours arguing against the removal of the ban, but GOP senators were unmoved and the Senate approved the resolution 50-49.By Ana Radelat, MinnPostWASHINGTON—Despite hours of impassioned arguments from Sen. Tina Smith, the U.S. Senate ended a Biden-era moratorium on mining in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed.
Last updated: April 16, 2026 10:28 PM
CO₂
431.9ppm
+1.9
/ year
CH₄
1945.85ppb
+8.44
/ year
Temp
+1.48°C
Peak +1.73°C
Population
8.1B
+67M
/ year