Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) have announced a Senate resolution recognizing the fourth anniversary of the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force’s 2021 decision to designate Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as the preferred site for the U.S. Space Command Headquarters.
The resolution mirrors legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Dale Strong (R-Ala.), highlighting the bipartisan efforts to reaffirm Redstone Arsenal’s status as the optimal choice for the headquarters.
“The headquarters of U.S. Space Command belongs on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and our resolution recognizes the Air Force’s original decision,” stated Senator Britt. “Huntsville’s selection was based on clear merit, as demonstrated by the Air Force’s thorough evaluation. This issue should remain above partisan politics to safeguard our national security.”
Senator Tuberville echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the military and strategic advantages of the Huntsville location. “Huntsville, Alabama, was selected as the best place for U.S. Space Command four years ago, and that decision should stand. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue advocating for this rightful location to ensure national security remains the priority.”
In January 2021, the U.S. Air Force announced that Redstone Arsenal ranked first among six candidate sites following an exhaustive evaluation and selection process. According to a May 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Redstone Arsenal achieved the highest scores across all assessment phases, with Air Force officials citing the location’s advantages and robust aerospace infrastructure.
Despite this, on July 31, 2023, President Biden halted the Air Force’s efforts to finalize the decision, citing political considerations. This move has faced criticism from Alabama officials, who argue that Huntsville’s selection is critical to advancing U.S. national security objectives.
Senator Britt has worked alongside other Alabama lawmakers to maintain focus on the issue. In 2023, she secured a provision in the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill, requiring the Air Force to provide detailed reports on expenditures related to the Space Command Headquarters.
The resolution seeks to highlight the strategic and operational importance of Redstone Arsenal while advocating for a decision process free from political influence.