Permitting Reform Needed to Strengthen U.S. Defense Industrial Base Against China, Senator Argues
Sen. Kevin Cramer argues that streamlined permitting processes are essential for rebuilding America's defense industrial capacity to compete with China's manufacturing dominance. China currently outproduces the U.S. in steel by 12-to-1 and possesses shipbuilding capacity roughly 230 times larger, while recent conflicts have exposed fragile U.S. munitions supply chains. Cramer contends that permitting reform is critical to national security and the ability to deter or prevail in a potential major conflict.
Sen. Kevin Cramer makes a national security case for permitting reform, arguing that regulatory bottlenecks have hollowed out America's defense industrial base over two decades. He cites stark manufacturing disparities: China's steel production exceeds the U.S. by roughly 12-to-1, and its shipbuilding capacity is approximately 230 times larger. Recent conflicts illustrate the consequences—the U.S. ramped 155mm artillery shell production from 14,000 to 40,000 monthly but fell far short of Ukraine's estimated needs of 150,000-200,000 shells. Cramer draws historical parallels to World War II and the Civil War, when American manufacturing dominance proved decisive, and argues that today's equivalent advantage lies in artificial intelligence and reliable power infrastructure. He contends that China's defense industrial base can shift to wartime production with minimal bureaucratic constraints, while the U.S. remains hampered by environmental reviews and regulatory procedures.
What's missing
The article does not provide independent verification of the specific manufacturing ratios cited (12-to-1 steel production, 230-to-1 shipbuilding capacity), nor does it present counterarguments from those who argue that permitting reform could have environmental or other costs, or alternative perspectives on how to address defense industrial capacity.
What different sources said
- Fox NewsRight
SEN KEVIN CRAMER: China builds for war while America waits on permits
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