Rep Susie Lee Takes Credit for ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Defense Provision, But Voted Against It

On August 11, 2025, Rep. Susie Lee (NV) attended a celebration of Las Vegas-based MP Materials, owner and operator of rare earth mine who received a multibillion-dollar commitment from the Department of Defense. At the celebration, Lee touted the jobs, economic impact, and national security implications, including protection from China, that the investment would bring to the area.

While Lee touted the agreement between the DoD and MP Materials, she failed to mention the entire funding for the initial $150 million loan was due to passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), which Lee voted against.

The OBBB passed along party lines with a final house vote of 218-214 on July 3 and was signed into law by President Trump the following day. Vice President J.D. Vance was the tie-breaking 51-50 vote in the Senate. Senate Republicans Thom Thillis (NC), Susan Collins (ME) and Rand Paul (KY) joined the Democrats in opposition.

Beyond voting against the bill that funded the DoD’s investment in MP Materials, Lee described the legislation as the “Big Bullshit Bill,” and, ironically, authored an op-ed critical of the bill warning it was “soon coming to Las Vegas.”

The OBBB did come to Las Vegas in the form of a $150 million loan to MP Materials.

In addition, in her own press release and in a Las Vegas Review-Journal article, she highlighted an additional $10 million commitment she secured in the FY26 Defense funding bill to recycle wastewater generated by rare earth production. However, similar to the OBBB, Lee voted against the FY26 Defense appropriations bill which contained that $10 million, both on floor passage and at the committee level.

Due to these conflicting statements and actions by Lee, The Globe reached out to the Nevada congresswoman for clarification and comment.

Rep. Lee responded:

“During a congressional hearing with the Secretary of Defense earlier this year, I raised my concerns about the Department of Defense prioritizing a foreign company over MP Materials. In that hearing, I secured Secretary Hegseth’s on-the-record commitment that, moving forward, DoD would prioritize investing in American companies like MP Materials. Following that commitment, DoD and MP Materials announced their multibillion-dollar partnership.

“I also used my seat on the Appropriations Committee to get funding for domestic critical mineral production included in the fiscal year 2026 Defense appropriations bill. I’m incredibly disappointed that House Republicans decided to play political games with that Defense bill and paired the critical minerals funding with provisions that would hurt my constituents like cuts to military readiness and servicemember health care.

“I will never vote for legislation that hurts southern Nevadans or threatens our national security. As appropriations negotiations continue, I will keep fighting for the investments in America’s critical minerals supply chain to be included in any final government funding bills.”

Congressional Leadership Fund spokeswoman Lydia Hall also provided comment to The Globe:

“Rep. Lee is shamelessly taking credit for funding she voted against. This is why Nevadans can’t stand corrupt politicians like Susie Lee, and why they’ll vote her out next November.”

Rep. Lee was elected in 2018, serving Congressional District 3 (CD-3) which covers southern Las Vegas and communities like Spring Valley and Summerlin South. Although Lee has held the seat for four terms, President Trump carried the district in 2024, making it one of only 13 total seats in the country with this distinction. As a result, the CD-3 is considered one of the most competitive in the nation and the National Republican Congressional Committee has named the district a top target for 2026.