NDAA Halts Space Command Construction in Colorado

WASHINGTON – The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a provision championed by Representative Dale Strong (AL-05) which prohibits funding from being used to expand U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. 

Specifically, Sec. 2889 in the NDAA will stop the combatant command from renting, planning, designing, or constructing new facilities. 

“I promised to fight for Space Command from day one as your congressman, and refused to sit idly by as political influence was used to reverse a merit-based decision,” said Representative Dale W. Strong. 

The funding freeze will remain until at least June 30, 2024, and is contingent on completed investigations by both the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG) and the Comptroller General of the United States. 

“I am confident that these new investigations will uncover executive interference from the Biden administration in the basing process,” said Strong. 

This will be the second DoD Inspector General investigation looking into the SPACECOM basing decision. The first, completed in May 2022, found that the U.S. Air Force’s original decision for SPACECOM headquarters “was reasonable in identifying Huntsville as the preferred permanent location.”  

“Doing what’s right for our armed forces and nation’s security is my driving force. I’m proud to be able to call attention to this bogus Biden decision and ensure that our taxpayer dollars are used in the best interest of national defense,” said Strong. 

The FY24 NDAA is expected to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate later this week.