Cotton Introduces Bill to Reduce Burdensome Government Regulations on Hardrock Mineral Leasing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:Patrick McCann(202) 224-2353January 28, 2026
Cotton Introduces Bill to Reduce Burdensome Government Regulations on Hardrock Mineral Leasing
Washington, DC— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today introduced legislation to make all federally acquired lands eligible for hardrock mineral leasing. The Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications (‘MERICA) Act will reduce bureaucratic red tape that limits mining on federally acquired lands.
“America’s natural resources are critical for our national security and shouldn’t be limited by burdensome government regulations. My bill will open federally acquired lands so we can boost domestic mineral production,”said Senator Cotton.
Text of the bill can be foundhere.
The Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act would:
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