HUNTSVILLE The latest development in the case to confirm Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal as permanent home to U.S. Space Command came from Colorado.
Yes, Colorado. The state that is fighting to keep Space Command.
In this strange twist, the Colorado Republican Party is urging President Biden not to consider abortion access as a factor when deciding where to base the U.S. Space Command headquarters.
In a letter to Biden shared with The Hill, Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams called for the decision to be based purely on merit, not on state abortion legislation.
“As a political organization that is unwavering in its support for the pro-life movement, the Colorado Republican Party, and its leaders, implore you to ensure that the decision to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs be made solely on merit, rather than being entangled with the issue of abortion access,” Williams said.
RELATED: NBC: Biden plans to reverse Space Command basing decision
There has been speculation the Biden administration may be reassessing the move to Alabama following the state’s introduction of some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. However, the Biden administration and the Pentagon have allegedly denied any connection between the Space Command decision and the state’s abortion legislation.
The plea from the Colorado GOP comes amid a backlash from Republicans, particularly from Alabama, over the postponed transfer of Space Command from its interim location in Colorado Springs to its proposed permanent base in Huntsville.
Last week, the Air Force announced the permanent establishment of four Space Force units in Colorado Springs, adding further complexity to the situation.
Interestingly, Williams’ letter did not push for President Biden to maintain Trump’s decision to move the headquarters to Alabama. Instead, it argued the strategic advantages offered by Colorado Springs.
“The basing of Space Command in Colorado Springs should be evaluated exclusively on its merits and strategic value. The location’s proximity to key resources, infrastructure, and expertise should guide this decision,” Williams wrote.
RELATED: GAO: Alabama 1st, Colorado 5th for Space Command HQ
During his administration, Trump’s decision to select Huntsville disregarded the preference of the U.S. Air Force, the parent branch of the U.S. Space Force, which is located in close proximity to SPACECOM’s temporary location in Colorado Springs.
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said he was “assured” by Space Command Gen. James Dickinson “that he couldn’t envision any circumstance where he wouldn’t recommend Huntsville as the permanent SPACECOM HQ.”
Just walked out of a meeting with @US_SpaceCom Commander GEN Dickinson. I was assured by him that he couldn’t envision any circumstance where he wouldn’t recommend Huntsville as the permanent SPACECOM HQ. He had no concerns with the initial decision.
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) June 7, 2023
Despite this, Williams defended Trump’s choice in his letter, arguing that the former President was wrongly accused of jeopardizing national security by choosing Alabama as Space Command’s headquarters due to political bias.
“If the main driving force to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs is Colorado’s unfettered abortion laws that provide no restrictions whatsoever, then we strongly affirm that Space Command should stay located in Alabama,” Williams said.
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