Cotton, Sheehy, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Secure U.S. Critical Mineral Dominance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
September 18, 2025

Cotton, Sheehy, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Secure U.S. Critical Mineral Dominance

Washington, DC - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) today introduced the Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act of 2025. This bill will expand the United States' offshore extraction of critical minerals and secure American dominance in the face of Chinese expansion in the industry. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) are co-sponsoring this legislation.

"Ending our dependence on Communist China for critical minerals that power our economy and military is a national security priority. This bill will support our country's growing critical mineral extraction industry, create jobs, and strengthen our supply chains," said Senator Cotton.

"From sophisticated defense technology to everyday items like cell phone and car batteries, critical minerals are a key component of America's national and economic security. Expanding and investing in our critical minerals industry here at home is vital to limiting our reliance on foreign adversaries for these resources. I'm proud to lead this legislation in the Senate to build on President Trump's work to fortify our critical minerals supply chain and restore American energy dominance," said Senator Sheehy.

"Domestic production of critical minerals is essential to America's national security. The Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act would reduce our dependence on China for critical minerals by building on President Trump's important work to secure these supply chains in the United States," said Senator Blackburn.

"The United States faces growing challenges in securing a critical minerals supply chain that is independent from control by our foreign adversaries. These challenges were grossly ignored under the last administration which disregarded the crucial role these minerals play in bolstering national defense and economic security. President Trump has taken important steps to ensure that the United States can take advantage of its technological leadership in developing these minerals in the deep sea, and it is time that we in Congress step up to codify these important actions," said Senator Britt.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act of 2025 would:

• Expedite the process for reviewing and issuing licenses under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
• Develop a plan to map priority areas of the seabed and outer continental shelf with critical minerals
• Identify critical minerals that may be derived from seabed mineral resources
• Engage with key partners or allies to offer support for seabed mineral resource exploration, extraction, processing, and environmental monitoring
• Submit reports to congressional committees on private sector engagement in seabed mining and the feasibility of an international benefit-sharing mechanism for seabed mineral extraction and development that occurs in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)

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