Biden Moves To Ban Mining In US, Leaving Military Dependent On Russia

President Joe Biden's decision to use a “national monument” designation to ban uranium mining in Arizona has sparked national outrage, and questions from Congress about a scheme that leaves America's military and nuclear energy sector more dependent on hostile enemy Russia.

During a recent tour of the American Southwest Biden revealed proposals to designate a new 1.1 million acre “Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument” in Arizona, on land that is rich in uranium.

The “national monument” designation outlaws mining, as well as most human access.

“The withdrawal area, located far outside the Grand Canyon, concerns the largest tract of uranium deposits in the country. In 2021, the United States imported approximately 95 percent of the uranium used by nuclear power plants. Of that, nearly 50 percent of the uranium came from either Russia or Kazakhstan. The uranium in the withdrawal area is high grade and necessary to expand domestic supply and reduce our reliance on Russian resources. Withdrawing this area from mineral development threatens American energy and national security,” the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources reporters.

Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) blasted the decision.

“This administration's lack of reason knows no bounds, and their actions suggest that President Biden and his radical advisors won't be satisfied until the entire federal estate is off limits and America is mired in dependency on our adversaries for our natural resources,” said Westerman in a statement.

“This land belongs to the American people, not any administration or bureaucrats who think they make the laws. Both native and non-native peoples have benefited from open access to these acres for centuries, and used them concurrently for recreation, cattle grazing, hunting and more,” Westerman noted.

“Researchers have also discovered that this area is home to some of the richest uranium deposits in the country. But when we have an administration that's a hammer in search of a nail, suddenly we're seeing our own resources being locked away for decades at precipitous speeds with no end in sight,” Westerman added.

Biden's move is part of a larger effort to outlaw energy development in the United States, which makes hostile adversaries Russia and China more powerful globally.

“Minnesota, Colorado, and now potentially Arizona have all been victims of this administration's war on the American economy and the mining sector that is so important to economic growth and security. I fail to see any rationale in this proposal beyond a selfish political agenda that locks away the very resources we depend on for our daily lives. If President Biden moves forward with this insane proposal, I will fight it in Congress and advocate for responsible stewardship of our resources,” Westerman concluded.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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