Sen. Tom Cotton seeks to expedite US mining for weapons materials, bypassing regulations to counter China’s dominance.

Legislation Targets Critical Minerals for US Defense

Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, has announced a legislative push designed to give the United States a strategic advantage over China in the global race for critical minerals essential to advanced weapons systems and national defense.

Cotton’s proposal, the Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act, would allow the Secretary of Defense to fast-track the approval and development of mining projects deemed vital for military readiness. The bill specifically enables these projects to bypass major federal environmental and judicial hurdles—including the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Currently, China dominates the global supply of rare earth minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and graphite—producing about 60% of the world’s critical minerals and processing up to 90%. These materials are indispensable not only for defense technologies but also for electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Cotton argues that the US military’s dependence on foreign—especially Chinese—sources puts American security and readiness at risk.

“Current environmental laws put our readiness to counter Communist China at risk and waste taxpayer dollars on projects that stall out and die on the vine,” Cotton stated. “This bill will create jobs, better arm and prepare our soldiers, and spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently.”

Fast-Tracking Military Projects

The proposed legislation empowers the Pentagon to circumvent legal and regulatory delays for a range of defense-related mining activities, including testing, production, deployment of new systems, and construction or expansion of military infrastructure. The bill also seeks to prevent court challenges from derailing these projects, provided the Secretary of Defense certifies their necessity for US military preparedness.

Cotton contends that existing regulations often delay essential projects without yielding meaningful environmental benefits, arguing that urgency is vital to maintaining national defense. The bill’s text emphasizes that the Pentagon must have “maximum agility and efficiency” to deter or, if necessary, win conflicts against the Chinese Communist Party.

This move aligns with broader White House efforts to boost domestic critical minerals production, whether through executive action, international agreements, or new mining ventures. It also follows President Donald Trump’s recent deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to resume vital mineral trade between the two countries after earlier tariff disputes interrupted shipments.

As Congress weighs the legislation, the debate will focus on balancing environmental protection with the imperatives of national security. The outcome could reshape US supply chains and readiness in a global environment where mineral access has become a central pillar of economic and military power.