WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Ted Cruz issued the following press release:

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Army Organic Industrial Base Mineral Partnerships Act of 2026. The bill authorizes the U.S. Army to partner with private sector companies to drill for lithium brine at Red River Army Depot and other Army Organic Industrial Base (OIB) facilities nationwide.

Sen. Cruz said, "Red River Army Depot sits atop the Smackover Formation, which is one of the largest lithium brine reserves in the United States. The reserves are a critical strategic asset, and enable the production of drones, communication systems, and other systems necessary for America's national security. Developing the reserves will make Te...