Congresswoman Lee Applauds Multibillion-Dollar Department of Defense Commitment to MP Materials
Lee Previously Secured Commitment from Defense Sec. Hegseth to Onshore Critical Materials Processing
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WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) applauded the Department of Defense’s (DoD) multibillion-dollar commitment to American-based critical mineral processing company MP Materials, headquartered in Las Vegas, to accelerate domestic production of rare earth materials:
“MP Materials, the only U.S. rare earth mineral producer, is essential to developing the U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain, thereby reducing our dependency on foreign countries for rare earths.
“I recently secured the support of Defense Sec. Hegseth in prioritizing MP Materials’ role in strengthening our national security by putting America first and ensuring these critical minerals are sourced domestically.
“I’m glad to see that Sec. Hegseth honored his commitment and announced the multibillion dollar partnership with MP Materials.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the DoD, MP Materials, and others to continue to grow and strengthen our domestic supply chain of critical minerals.”
James Litinsky, Chairman and CEO of MP Materials:
“We are deeply grateful to our elected leaders in Washington for making America’s rare earth resurgence a bipartisan priority. This transformational public-private partnership will create high-quality jobs in Nevada, California, Texas, and beyond—while empowering American manufacturers across the country with a secure, domestic supply of rare earth magnets.”
During the Fiscal Year 2026 DoD budget hearing for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Congresswoman Lee secured commitments from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for DoD to invest in American critical mineral companies that are already investing, hiring, and paying taxes in the U.S.
Lee raised the alarm on China’s chokehold on critical minerals and asked DoD to commit to investing in American-based companies which process critical minerals, like MP Materials, which is headquartered in Las Vegas, has invested $1 billion of its own capital since 2020, and employs more than 800 Americans, 550 of whom are in southern Nevada.
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