Sen. Tom Cotton is introducing a bill that would expedite the harvesting of minerals needed for the U.S. military

Arkansas senator Tom Cotton is introducing a bill that would expedite the harvesting of minerals needed for the nation’s defense.

The bill, titled the Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act , would make it easier for mining activities and permit the Pentagon to “operate with maximum agility and efficiency” Cotton has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the United States from Communist China .