FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
July 9, 2025

Cotton Introduces Bill to Eliminate Challenges to Countering China 

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today introduced the Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act, legislation that would establish environmental waivers for commercial projects deemed necessary to counter the Chinese Communist Party by the Secretary of Defense.

“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. This bill will create jobs, better arm and prepare our soldiers, and spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act may be found here.

The Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act would:

  • Establish a waiver for activities related to countering the threat of Communist China.
  • The waivers would apply to regulations under the:
    • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    • Endangered Species Act (ESA)
    • Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
    • Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPA)

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