Members of Alabama’s Congressional Delegation and local officials have stepped up their defense of Redstone as the future home of the USSPACECOM headquarters pending the release of the GAO review.
Congressman Robert Aderholt and Congresswoman Terri Sewell issued a joint press statement supporting Redstone – “There is no better place for our nation’s Space Command headquarters than the Rocket City. Huntsville is the world’s premier hub for space exploration and innovation and we resoundingly support the 2021 decision to locate it there. We stand by the Air Force’s decision that Huntsville is the best and only home for U.S. Space Command. We look forward to reviewing the Government Accountability Office’s report and remain confident that an objective analysis of the facts will yield the same conclusion.”
There is no better place for the U.S. Space Command headquarters than the Rocket City and I am confident that an objective analysis of the facts will yield the same conclusion.
Read my statement with Congressman @Robert_Aderholt. 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/rlWMfAAGhA
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) April 15, 2022
Senator Tuberville issued a press release expressing his confidence “that Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal will remain the preferred site for Space Command’s permanent headquarters based on objective facts and an analytical process.”
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle issued a similar statement:
“We have not seen the latest report but remain confident the decision to headquarter Space Command at Redstone will be validated once more. The site selection for Space Command has included extensive reporting and sworn testimony from decorated and highly respected military leaders who led the decision-making process. They have reassured the public, time and time again, that this was a fair and above-board competitive process.
“Space Command represents a significant commitment to protect our country and our assets in space. Huntsville will not be the only city involved and components of this effort will include other military locations across the country. We have been good neighbors and partners with our friends in Colorado for many years and we will continue to do so, and we look forward to working with new partners in this important effort to keep the United States safe.”
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The GAO assessment of the US Space Command location selection process and methodology is expected anytime within the next couple of weeks. Members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation have been briefed on the study’s findings, according to a joint press release issued by Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congressmen Crow and Lamborn.
GAO procedures permit parties requesting GAO reviews preliminary access to study findings, though such preliminary reviews are usually treated confidentially.
-by Mike Ward
Senior VP, Government & Public Affairs
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber