Huntsville Leader

WASHINGTON— Representative Dale W. Strong (AL-05) successfully blocked a second attempt to use this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to further delay the announcement of the permanent location of Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters.

The Colorado delegation filed two amendments, 1381 and 1398, that would have effectively allowed SPACECOM to continue building up the temporary headquarters in Colorado Springs. Both amendments were withdrawn during consideration by the House Rules Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04). The House Rules Committee determines which amendments are eligible on the House Floor.

“These amendments are not in the best interest of America’s national security, and I was glad to see them withdrawn from consideration. If Secretary Kendall hasn’t decided where Space Command is going to be permanently located after over two and a half years, he shouldn’t be traveling and definitely shouldn’t be spending taxpayer money to build up a temporary home,” said Representative Strong.

The failed NDAA floor amendments followed Rep. Strong’s initial success in stopping an eleventh-hour attempt to strip language included in the NDAA during the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) NDAA markup. The bill being considered by the House this week freezes both permanent and temporary military construction funds for SPACECOM and cuts the Secretary of the Air Force’s travel budget by fifty percent until a final decision regarding the combatant command’s headquarters is made. It would not mandate a decision be made in favor of a particular location.

WATCH Rep. Strong’s remarks during the FY24 NDAA markup HERE.

Original source can be found here.