WASHINGTON – The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) unanimously approved a new military branch for space.
The branch, referred to as Space Corps, passed during the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mark-up for Fiscal Year 2020. If it passes Congress, it will be the sixth branch of the military, dedicated to military space operations.
Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., offered the measure and have pushed for its creation for more than two years.
“I am thrilled my colleagues on HASC recognize the importance of focusing on this proposal,” Rogers said. “As I have said time and time again, the future of warfighting will be fought in space. Russia and China are surpassing us in space capabilities and we must have a military branch focused solely on this mission.”
Last year, President Donald Trump called for the creation of the branch.
“I also applaud President Trump’s vision and unwavering support in creation of this military branch,” Rogers said. “Our national security truly depends on it.”
Rogers serves as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and is a senior member of the HASC.
