{"id":585971,"date":"2023-08-07T00:16:58","date_gmt":"2023-08-06T21:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/alabama-readies-for-battle-over-space-command-hq\/"},"modified":"2023-08-07T00:16:58","modified_gmt":"2023-08-06T21:16:58","slug":"alabama-readies-for-battle-over-space-command-hq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/alabama-readies-for-battle-over-space-command-hq\/","title":{"rendered":"#Alabama readies for battle over Space Command HQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/rogersmike_010823getty_alabama.jpg?w=900\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Alabama\u2019s congressional delegation is fuming after President Biden nixed the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters to their state and have warned the fight is far from over.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, launched an investigation this week into the motives behind the decision after publicly alleging Biden\u2019s choice was political.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr1_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>Lawmakers also accuse the Biden administration of improperly building up the Colorado Springs temporary headquarters before making the final decision that scuttled the move to Huntsville, Ala.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is clear the Biden administration cares more about advancing their far-left agenda than the security of our nation,\u201d Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala.) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepJerryCarl\/status\/1686124696415125504\">wrote on X<\/a>, the platform formerly known as <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a>. \u201cWe will not give up this fight because Space Command belongs in Huntsville.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s unclear what legislative or legal action can be taken even if the lawmakers uncover evidence of any improper decisionmaking. Congress is still working through the annual defense bill that could technically defund programs or stipulate certain conditions related to Space Command.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Biden\u2019s decision means a major loss of economic stimulus that would have been brought to Huntsville from a new military headquarters \u2014 an estimated 1,400 jobs for an estimated annual $1 billion economic impact.<\/p>\n<p>The Biden administration\u2019s official rationale was that relocating the headquarters would take years, possibly up to the mid-2030s, which would impact military readiness. In contrast, the headquarters at Colorado Springs can become operational in a month.<\/p>\n<p>Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Transcripts\/Transcript\/Article\/3479410\/pentagon-press-secretary-air-force-brig-gen-pat-ryder-holds-a-press-briefing\/\">at a press conference<\/a> this week that \u201cpolitics played no role in this decision,\u201d and the Air Force did a \u201cthorough analysis and assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr2_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>\u201cA decision had to be made,\u201d he said. \u201cRecommendations were provided and the president made a decision, and that decision came down to operational readiness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alabama lawmakers suspected a reversal was looming months ago \u2014 and believe abortion politics was a driving force in the decision.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In May, NBC <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> reported Biden would not relocate the headquarters because of a near-total abortion law in the state.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr3_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>And a months-long blockade on more than 200 <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a> and flag officers at the Pentagon from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has upset the Biden administration, eliciting numerous statements blasting the senator\u2019s hold. Tuberville is protesting a new Defense Department policy that provides paid leave and reimburses <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a> costs for service members who cross state lines for an abortion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a press conference this week, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) said the state\u2019s restrictive laws, along with Tuberville\u2019s blockade, likely affected the outcome of the decision, though she did not offer any evidence for the claim.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m frustrated because I expected more from the Biden administration. I had hoped for Alabama\u2019s sake that politics would not win out,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I certainly understand the feeling that you don\u2019t want to reward the reckless antics of elected officials.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr4_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>Rogers opened an investigation into the delay of the relocation in late May, shortly after the NBC News report. His investigation <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ears to have yielded few results so far. But Rogers is now seeking to force the administration to hand over the information he is requesting.<\/p>\n<p>In <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/armedservices.house.gov\/sites\/republicans.armedservices.house.gov\/files\/Spacecom%20AF%20-%20TI%20and%20documents-%20final.pdf\">a <\/a><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/armedservices.house.gov\/sites\/republicans.armedservices.house.gov\/files\/Spacecom%20AF%20-%20TI%20and%20documents-%20final.pdf\"><\/a>letter this week to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Space Command Gen. James Dickinson, Rogers said he requested documents related to the relocation five times, all of which have gone unanswered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is unacceptable,\u201d Rogers wrote. \u201cYour refusal to abide by the committee\u2019s repeated requests for responsive documents and transcribed interviews can only be considered obfuscation and purposeful delay, highlighted by the fact that the basing decision was decided while the committee\u2019s requests are outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr5_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>Rogers is demanding the documents by Aug. 9, threatening a subpoena if they don\u2019t comply. He accused the Biden administration of having \u201csomething to hide\u201d by not providing them.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Space Command is one of 11 combat command centers for the U.S. military across the world. Its predecessor was established in 1985 as a part of the Air Force before merging with Strategic Command in 2002.<\/p>\n<p>Former President Trump reestablished Space Command in 2019, and its headquarters was temporarily located at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr6_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>The permanent headquarters search stretched from December 2020 to mid-January 2021, involving a nomination process in all 50 states. That was followed by administration analysis and environmental reviews.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Six finalists were chosen, with candidates including Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and Colorado\u2019s Peterson Air Force base. Trump eventually selected Huntsville, also known as Rocket City because of its history developing major space rockets, to be the permanent location.<\/p>\n<p>The decision stirred speculation that Trump chose Alabama over Colorado because he enjoys more political support in the Yellowhammer state. Colorado lawmakers, who have applauded Biden\u2019s final decision, had blasted Trump\u2019s choice as political.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr7_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>Trump <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=b6wCpFI5zH4\">told \u201cThe Rick &amp; Bubba Show\u201d<\/a> in 2021 he selected Huntsville for the next headquarters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey were looking for a home and I single-handedly said, \u2018Let\u2019s go to Alabama,\u2019\u201d Trump said. \u201cI love Alabama.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At the heart of the Alabama delegation\u2019s claims of foul play from Biden are government reviews ordered by his administration that found Huntsville was selected through a fair process.<\/p>\n<p>A U.S. Government Accountability Office <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-22-106055\">report last year<\/a> said Trump met with military leaders, and his decision was largely consistent with military recommendations. However, it noted the process could have involved more transparency and better practices. A <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dodig.mil\/reports.html\/article\/3027137\/evaluation-of-the-air-force-selection-process-for-the-permanent-location-of-the\/#:~:text=We%20found%20that%20the%20process,as%20the%20preferred%20permanent%20location.\">Pentagon Inspector General<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dodig.mil\/reports.html\/article\/3027137\/evaluation-of-the-air-force-selection-process-for-the-permanent-location-of-the\/#:~:text=We%20found%20that%20the%20process,as%20the%20preferred%20permanent%20location.\"><\/a>evaluation also confirmed the location was selected through a correct and fair process.<\/p>\n<p>Other lawmakers have expressed concern the Colorado base was being built before a final decision was even made.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes language that strips funding for Space Command military construction and slashes Kendall\u2019s travel budget until a final decision on the headquarters is made.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s likely those amendments are now irrelevant because of Biden\u2019s final decision, but new ones may be introduced by Alabama lawmakers. The House NDAA bill is unlikely to pass as is because it must reconcile with a vastly different Senate version.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Dale Strong (R-Ala.), who has publicly backed an investigation into the administration\u2019s decisionmaking, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=e0IVLq8EVyo\">told a local Huntsville news station<\/a> the Biden administration already spent $52 million to build out a Space Command site in Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>Strong said the construction site lies nine miles outside the walls of the base, which he said was a national security issue because it lacks military protection.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI promise you right here, at no point would this happen in Huntsville,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/defense\/4138484-alabama-readies-for-battle-over-space-command-hq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alabama\u2019s congressional delegation is fuming after President Biden nixed the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters to their state and have warned the fight is far from over. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, launched an investigation this week into the motives behind the decision after publicly alleging Biden\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":585972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thehill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/rogersmike_010823getty_alabama.jpg?w=1280","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[134343,134418,134353,144904,73798,141309,124783,144905,991,136769,138462,144781,144906,135954],"class_list":["post-585971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-campaign","tag-congress-blog","tag-court-battles","tag-dale-strong","tag-defense","tag-frank-kendall","tag-international","tag-jerry-carl","tag-joe-biden","tag-mike-rogers","tag-pat-ryder","tag-space-command","tag-terri-sewell","tag-tommy-tuberville"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=585971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/585972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=585971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=585971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=585971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}