Colorado Senator Michael Bennet at a Salida campaign appearance. Dan Smith photo.
On Monday, President Joe Biden made the decision to reverse former President Donald Trump’s end-of-term decision to move the headquarters of the U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama; officially designating Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs as its location.
Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both of whom advocated for the base to remain in Colorado, have welcomed the decision to permanently base U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.
“Over the past two and half years, we have repeatedly made the case that the Trump Administration’s decision to relocate U.S. Space Command was misguided,” Bennet commented. “Today’s decision restores integrity to the Pentagon’s basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions. Colorado is the rightful home for U.S. Space Command, and our state will continue to lead America in space for years to come”.
“For two and a half years we’ve known any objective analysis of this basing decision would reach the same conclusion we did, that Peterson Space Force Base is the best home for Space Command” said Hickenlooper. After two investigations and rigorous review by the Department of Defense, the administration has made the decision that’s in our country’s best interest”.
“Most importantly, this decision firmly rejects the idea that politics – instead of national security – should determine basing decisions central to our national security. We’re grateful to the service members and civilians who serve at Space Command, keeping us safe at the cutting edge of this new frontier,” he added.
Negative reactions quickly came from some Southern Republicans.
The Associated Press reported the location debate is entangled in the battle with Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville and the Defense Department over providing travel for troops seeking reproductive health care, including abortion. Tuberville has stonewalled hundreds of military promotions in protest of the policy and criticized the decision as partisan politics.
Officials said that reproductive rights played no role in President Biden’s decision.
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