Huntsville Leader

The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will halt the expansion of the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. Representative Dale Strong, who championed the provision, ensured that funding will not be used for renting, planning, designing, or constructing new facilities for SPACECOM. This decision comes as a response to allegations of political influence in the basing process.

Representative Dale W. Strong expressed his commitment to fighting for Space Command and his refusal to allow political interference in a merit-based decision. He stated, "I promised to fight for Space Command from day one as your congressman, and refused to sit idly by as political influence was used to reverse a merit-based decision."

The funding freeze will continue until at least June 30, 2024, pending investigations by both the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG) and the Comptroller General of the United States. Representative Strong expressed confidence that these investigations will uncover executive interference from the Biden administration in the basing process. He said, "I am confident that these new investigations will uncover executive interference from the Biden administration in the basing process."

It is worth noting that this is not the first investigation into the SPACECOM basing decision. The first investigation, completed in May 2022, found that the original decision to establish SPACECOM headquarters in Huntsville was reasonable. Despite this finding, the current provision in the NDAA will halt any further construction in Colorado Springs.

Representative Strong emphasized his commitment to the armed forces and national security, stating, "Doing what's right for our armed forces and nation's security is my driving force. I'm proud to be able to call attention to this bogus Biden decision and ensure that our taxpayer dollars are used in the best interest of national defense."

The FY24 NDAA is expected to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate later this week, solidifying the provision to halt SPACECOM construction in Colorado Springs.

To learn more, click on this link: https://strong.house.gov/media/press-releases/ndaa-halts-space-command-construction-colorado