Democratic Alabama Dem. Terri Sewell blasted President Joe Biden over his decision to keep the U.S. Space Command Headquarters in Colorado instead of moving operations to Alabama.
Late last month, Sewell released a statement condemning Biden’s decision to reject former President Donald Trump’s push to move the Space Command’s headquarters to her home state.
“This Administration’s decision to keep Space Command in Colorado bows to the whims of politics over merit. Huntsville’s merits won this selection process fair and square. In three separate reports, Huntsville reigned victorious, whereas Colorado did not come in second or even third. This reversal is as shameful as it is disappointing,” she wrote.
“I expected more from the Biden Administration. A decision of this magnitude should not be about red states versus blue states, but rather what is best for our national security,” the statement continued.
According to Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Space Command’s headquarters in Colorado Springs will ensure the U.S. maintains “peak readiness in the space domain… during a critical period.”
“It will also enable the command to most effectively plan, execute and integrate military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression and defend national interests,” Ryder added.
Biden, they said, believes that keeping the command in Colorado Springs will avoid the disruption in readiness that the move would cause, especially as the country competes with China in space. They also added that the president is convinced that maintaining stability will let the military respond more effectively in space over the coming decade.
The rest of Alabama’s delegation, meanwhile, is fuming over the decision, with many alleging that Biden’s choice was politically motivated.
“It is clear the Biden administration cares more about advancing their far-left agenda than the security of our nation,” Republican State Rep. Jerry Carl tweeted. “We will not give up this fight because Space Command belongs in Huntsville.”
“The top three choices for Space Command headquarters were all in red states – Alabama, Nebraska, and Texas,” Republican State Sen. Tommy Tuberville said in a statement. “Colorado didn’t even come close. This decision to bypass the three most qualified sites looks like blatant patronage politics, and it sets a dangerous precedent that military bases are now to be used as rewards for political supporters rather than for our security.”
