Senate Armed Services Committee OKs Space Force Proposal

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Trump administration’s proposal to establish a Space Force as part of the panel’s fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the Hill reported Thursday.

The $750 billion NDAA earmarks $72.4 million to establish the new military branch to operate under the U.S. Air Force and mandates the appointment of a Space Force commander. The commander will concurrently serve as head of the U.S. Space Command until separate commander roles for the two entities are created following a one-year period.

According to senior committee aides, the Senate panel advanced the Space Force proposal because of the military branch’s goals to consolidate government operations, establish the space warfighting domain and address acquisition issues. 

“Our strategy will set the Space Force up for success now and in the future, minimizing bureaucracy in the force,” said the committee’s chairman Jim Inhiofe, R-Okla., in a statement.