Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) have sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, urging the Department of War to support American lithium producers. The senators highlighted the importance of securing a domestic supply of lithium, which is essential for U.S. national security and for technologies used by the military such as advanced weapon systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and battlefield energy storage.
In their letter, the senators stated: “A resilient domestic lithium supply will shield our military from supply chain disruptions, geopolitical manipulation, and other external threats. This is not a corporate subsidy; it is a national security investment to detangle our supply chains from Communist China.”
The letter acknowledges Secretary Hegseth’s efforts to strengthen the domestic critical minerals supply chain and defense industrial base. It also points out that while the United States produces only about one percent of global lithium, China dominates both production and processing worldwide. The senators referenced recent Chinese restrictions on lithium exports as an example of China’s increasing market control.
The senators identified the Smackover brine aquifer in southwest Arkansas and east Texas as a key resource for high-grade domestic lithium. They noted that Standard Lithium Ltd. operates advanced projects in this region with proven direct lithium extraction technology.
They urged the Department of War to consider using additional measures such as Defense Production Act Title III to support the U.S. lithium industry. According to the senators, such actions would encourage investment in domestic capacity and reduce reliance on China for this critical mineral.
The letter concludes with an expression of intent to continue working together on strengthening America’s position in critical mineral supply chains.
