Mike Rogers says committee “will examine the striking irregularities” in handling of United States Space Command Headquarters
The House Armed Services Committee is holding hearings on Thursday into what went into the decision to reverse course and take the award of Space Command from Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and instead leave it in Colorado Springs even though the Air Force’s dissatisfaction with Colorado Springs precipitated the search for a new location in the first place. The committee is chaired by Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama). Rogers said in his opening statement on Thursday that the Committee “will examine irregularities” in how the Biden administration handled the Space Command relocation. “Today we will examine the striking irregularities in the Biden Administration’s handling of United States Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters,” Chairman Rogers said. “Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has chosen to play politics with our national security. After a long and competitive national process, Huntsville, Alabama, was selected as the best location to host United States Space Command or SPACECOM.” “Huntsville beat out, in order: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bellevue, Nebraska; San Antonio, Texas; and in fifth place, Colorado Springs, Colorado,” Rogers continued. “Since the end of that competition, which was validated by both the GAO and the Biden DoD IG, individuals within the Air Force and the Biden Administration have attempted to circumvent the results and place SPACECOM in Colorado Springs in the name of readiness.” “This is not, and has never been, about readiness,” Rep. Rogers said. “General [Chance] Saltzman, the general officer with day-to-day responsibility for the readiness of more than 90% of SPACECOM’s assigned forces, says, “It is my belief that the permanent location of USSPACECOM headquarters will not impact the readiness of U.S. Space Force forces.”” “General [James] Dickinson has stated that Colorado Springs is the “unmatched” choice for recruiting civilians to work at SPACECOM,” Rogers argued. “Yet, he’s currently using over 360 contractors to fill civilian staffing shortfalls.” Rogers claims the decision to keep Space Command at Colorado Springs will cost taxpayers $426 million more than Huntsville, Alabama, for headquarters operations over the next 15 years. “Hundreds of millions of dollars in readiness lost just so the President can try to endear himself to a purple state prior to next year’s election,” Rogers stated. Rogers accused the Air Force and the White House of “a string of delays and fuzzy math with one goal: White-wash this Administration’s decision to disregard the outcome of a competitive and deliberate selection process that Alabama won.” Rogers said he can show through his investigation that “SPACECOM has already spent over $127 million in Colorado. Including tens of millions of dollars to put up to 800 of our most critical space warfighting decision-makers in an abandoned, 41-year-old factory. Not on a military base, but nine and a half miles away from the base. Not in a secure area. An industrial building next to a middle school, around the corner from an apartment complex, and across the street from a neighborhood. This LEASED space had no proper fence, obsolete security systems, and inadequate facilities to handle the highly classified systems our space capabilities rely on.” “Documents obtained by the committee show that Colorado Springs is out of space and out of infrastructure despite this spending spree,” Rogers continued. “Sensitive equipment is running in buildings without proper backup power, and there is already a massive office space shortfall on the bases in the Colorado Springs area.” “There is no justification for these actions except political considerations,” Rogers said. “It is indefensible to turn the fifth-place finisher into the winner of this basing competition.” After the hearing, Rogers said on X, “In the @HASCRepublicans hearing today, it became obvious that the Biden Administration’s cited “military readiness” concerns are a total fabrication. I am demanding that the DoD Inspector General investigate this heinous meddling in a valid military process.” Members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation insist that the fight for Space Command is not over, even though it increasingly appears unlikely that the Biden Administration will admit their error. Rogers is in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Launch of Alabama Space Roundtable highlights future of space careers
A new initiative aimed at making Alabama a national nexus for space career exploration, training, and employment launched this week at a gathering in Huntsville. The Alabama Space Roundtable held its inaugural meeting at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp Operations Center. The meeting was hosted by North AlabamaWorks, part of the statewide workforce services provider AlabamaWorks. Responding to industry needs and the National Space Council’s call for a skilled workforce, the Alabama Space Roundtable is charged with ensuring a strong workforce pipeline for the space industry. The mission of the Roundtable is to drive the future of space talent, inspiring, training, and employing students and workers to address the shortage of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills needed to ensure the industry’s growth, said Stephanie McCullough, executive director of North AlabamaWorks. “The first meeting of the Alabama Space Roundtable formalizes current space workforce efforts in the region,” McCullough said. “It directly responds to the space talent crisis by developing new models to better grow and recruit the STEM space talent needed to power our space industry. “Alabama has the opportunity to be the first state to demonstrate an integrated space talent pipeline.” McCullough said. Representatives of the National Space Council attended Monday’s meeting, along with local and national space industry leaders, talent pipeline experts, workforce development and education organizations, and nonprofits. Housed in the Executive Office of the President, the National Space Council is charged with providing objective advice on the formulation and implementation of the nation’s space policy and strategy. Huntsville has been a center for American space exploration for decades, and its contributions continue to be essential to NASA’s success. Its Marshall Space Flight Center is responsible for developing many of the technologies that make space exploration possible, including rockets, propulsion systems, and life support systems. That made Huntsville a natural choice for the inaugural meeting of the Alabama Space Roundtable, said Melinda Weaver, community relations manager for Alabama Power and board chair of North AlabamaWorks. “Being home to the largest space museum in the world and having a rich history of contributions to space exploration, Huntsville is the ideal place to host the Alabama Space Roundtable,” said Weaver. “We are honored to have this area of the state chosen to host such an important program. I feel strongly that this region will step up to the plate and address the industry needs for a skilled workforce in Space STEM.” Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
State Rep. John Rogers indicted on obstruction of justice charges
We are still just in the first year of this four-year term, but three of the 105 Alabama House of Representatives members have already been indicted. The latest is State Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham). The U.S. Attorney’s office in Birmingham announced that Rogers has been indicted on two federal charges of obstruction of justice. Rep. David Cole (R-Madison) pleaded guilty and resigned to voting in the wrong precinct when it was discovered that he ran in 2022 for a seat in a district different from the one where he lives. Rep. Fred Plump (D-Fairfield) has already been indicted, pleaded guilty, and resigned his House District 55 seat in this same federal corruption case. Plump admits to receiving $400,000 from Rogers in Jefferson County Community Service funds ostensibly to benefit a rec league Coach Plump ran. Instead of using all the money for the children, Plump admits to giving $200,00 to Varrie Johnson Kindall, Rogers’ longtime legislative assistant, who lives in Chelsea. Plump was indicted for both corruption and for obstruction of justice for notifying Kindall of the federal investigation after authorities told him not to. Kindall has been indicted 21 times by federal authorities for her role in this scheme and the effort to cover it up. The federal government alleges that Rogers and Kindall attempted to obstruct justice by offering an unidentified witness additional grant money as a bribe and otherwise trying to corruptly persuade the witness to give false information to federal agents.” Rogers could face as much as 25 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine if convicted. Rogers has denied any wrongdoing. None of Wednesday’s news was unexpected. The Jefferson County Republican Party is already actively recruiting candidates to run for Rogers’ seat, assuming that it will become vacant when he agrees to a guilty plea or is found guilty by a jury of his peers. Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Chris Brown said on Tuesday night that he and Alabama Republican Minority GOP Chairman Phillip Brown are actively looking for a candidate in neighboring House District 52, where Rogers is “tied up in the same corruption scandal as Plump.” If Rogers surrenders his seat or is removed upon conviction, Governor Kay Ivey will call a special election to fill the vacancy. The special Democratic primary for Plump’s HD55 seat was held just Tuesday. “We don’t know that there is going to be an opening (in HD52), but we want to be ready if there is,” Chris Brown said. Rogers has, to this point, denied any wrongdoing. He is 83 years old and served in the Alabama House of Representatives for the last 42 years. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott vow to end to birthright citizenship during debate
Republican presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said during Wednesday’s debate they would work to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. if elected. Any child born in the United States is automatically a citizen. Ramaswamy and Scott said they would not allow the children of immigrants in the country illegally to automatically become U.S. citizens. Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old businessman who is the son of Indian immigrants, said it shouldn’t continue. “I favor ending birthright citizenship for the kids of illegal immigrants in this country,” he said during the debate at the Ronald Regan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. “Now the left will howl about the Constitution and the 14th Amendment. The difference between me and them is I’ve actually read the 14th Amendment. What it says is that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the laws and jurisdiction thereof are citizens. So nobody believes that the kid of a Mexican diplomat in this country enjoys birthright citizenship, not a judge or legal scholar in this country.” Scott, a 58-year-old who has been in the Senate since 2013, appeared to side with Ramaswamy on the issue saying of the 14th Amendment: “I think it’s simple that clearly it was designed for slavery, and not for illegal immigration.” Former President Donald Trump, a 77-year-old who skipped both GOP debates, said in 2018 that he would sign an executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants, but did not do so. In May, Trump said he would end birthright citizenship on the first day of his presidency if elected to another term. Some legal scholars have said any such change would run afoul of the U.S. Constitution. Under the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Terri Sewell says government shut down “would hurt working families”
With just three days remaining until a government shutdown, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) warned that House Republicans are risking serious consequences for Alabama families. “Alabama families shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for House Republicans’ inability to govern,” said Rep Sewell. “A Republican government shutdown would force troops to work without pay, harm small businesses, risk air travel disruptions, and endanger access to food assistance for families. It is unconscionable that House Republicans would hurt working families, damage our economy, and endanger our national security.” “I will continue to do everything in my power to keep the government open and protect the programs that Alabamians rely on,” continued Sewell. “It’s time for House Republicans to do their jobs, put American families first, and stop charging towards a government shutdown.” Recently, Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt joined Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) in cosponsoring bipartisan legislation titled the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023. This legislation would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until the budgets are passed. “Shutdowns don’t accomplish anything,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Where I come from, you stay at work until you get the job done. Congress should be forced to stay in D.C. until we pass a responsible, fiscally conservative budget.” According to new data released by House Budget Committee Minority, a government shutdown would: Sewell wrote on X, “If Republicans shut down the government, families who rely on food assistance will be turned away at grocery stores, workers will miss paychecks, and our troops will be forced to serve without pay.@HouseDemocrats are ready to prevent a shutdown. We need Republicans to join us.”
August border encounters of more than 322,000 highest monthly total in U.S. history
Total encounters reported at both the northern and southwest land borders in August was 304,162, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. It is the greatest total number of illegal entries of any month in recorded U.S. history, according to CBP data. Total encounter data excludes nearly 30,000 gotaways at the southwest border reported by Border Patrol agents last month. It excludes gotaways reported by Office of Field Operations agents at the southwest border and all gotaway data from the northern border. Gotaways is the official CBP term for foreign nationals who illegally enter between ports of entry and don’t return to Mexico or Canada. CBP doesn’t publicly release this data. The Center Square receives preliminary gotaway data from a Border Patrol agent on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. More than 1.6 million gotaways have been reported illegally entering at the southern border alone since January 2021. Many news outlets reported more than 230,000 encounters were reported by CBP at the southwest border in August. However, when preliminary gotaway data is included, the number increased to over 261,000 illegal border crossers, The Center Square previously reported. By comparison, more than 251,521 illegal total border crossers were reported in August 2022, up from 231,243 in August 2021 and 65,707 in August 2020, excluding gotaways. The next highest monthly total of illegal border crossers after August 2023 was 284,665 in November 2022. Fiscal year to date, nearly 2.9 million total illegal border crossers have been encountered, according to CBP data, the highest number in U.S. history. The data was last updated Sept. 6. and excludes gotaways. In fiscal 2022, the number was over 2.76 million; in fiscal 2021, over 1.95 million; and in fiscal 2020, 646,822. The majority of illegal border crossers are single adults, according to CBP data. The greatest number apprehended was in fiscal 2022 of 1,993,694. The next highest number was 1,876,266 apprehended this fiscal year to date, which ends Sept. 30. In fiscal 2021, 1,321,674 single adults were encountered compared to 536,792 in fiscal 2020. The next greatest number of illegal border crossers by demographic are individuals claiming to be in a family unit. This fiscal year to date they total 853,687. They totaled 614,023 in fiscal 2022; 483,846 in fiscal 2021; and 74,960 in fiscal 2020. Among the third greatest demographic, unaccompanied children/single minors, 152,880 were encountered in fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2021, 147,975 were encountered; in fiscal year to date, 124,221 were encountered. In fiscal 2020, 34,126 unaccompanied minors were encountered. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
AGs ask Supreme Court to overrule restrictions on enforcing homeless camping bans
A group of 20 attorneys general want the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule a lower court’s restrictions on local governments enforcing homeless camping bans. In their petition regarding Johnson v. City of Grants Pass, the attorneys general wrote that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was wrong to prohibit state and local governments from enforcing laws that bar public spaces from being used as homeless encampments. “The Constitution nowhere strips States of the power to regulate use of public spaces,” the attorneys general wrote. “It empowers States and guarantees an inviolable sovereignty meant to address local issues like homelessness.” Meanwhile, the attorneys general said the 9th Circuit “relied on this Court’s ‘evolving standards of decency’ jurisprudence,” something they said “lacks textual, historical, or structural support.” “The Court should put that troublesome jurisprudence to bed once and for all,” they added. In 2018, the 9th Circuit ruled that the Eighth Amendment allows for the right to sleep and camp in public spaces. Earlier this year, the appeals court held that the amendment also prevents fines for people “engaging in involuntary, unavoidable life-sustaining acts.” However, the attorneys general argue that cities – especially those across the western U.S. – are having a difficult time combating homelessness because of the ruling. “When it comes to public encampments, States have significant land interests,” the attorneys general said. “States regulate public encampments to protect natural resources, prevent wildfires, preserve the value of recreation, and maintain an area’s dignity and public value. The petition was filed by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom also submitted a brief for the Supreme Court to review the case. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Federal government shutdown to impact farmers, others
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square With the potential for a partial federal government shutdown looming this weekend, officials across the states are bracing for possible impact. A series of spending measures to keep various sectors of the federal government funded is tied up in Washington, D.C., with a Democrat-controlled Senate at odds with a Republican-controlled House. While Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program subsidies are set for October, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warned what a shutdown could mean to nearly 168,000 beneficiaries of the federally-funded Women, Infants and Children nutrition program in Illinois. “We have a contingency fund at USDA that might continue that for a day or two. Some states have leftover WIC benefits that have not been spent, which could extend it for a week or so in that state, but the vast majority of WIC participants would see an immediate reduction and elimination of those benefits, which means the nutrition assistance provided would not be available,” Vilsack said. The Illinois Department of Human Services said it is monitoring the situation, but the agency believes both SNAP and WIC benefits would not be impacted for Illinois customers during the month of October. Farmers are bracing for a possible shutdown and for continued uncertainty on an updated farm bill. Illinois Farm Bureau’s Kevin Semlow said a shutdown would have an impact on farm finances by halting various federally subsidized farm loans. The timing comes during harvest when people are looking to get the best commodity prices. “Especially the marketing assistance loans, which help the farmers plan for and start buying their inputs for next year,” Semlow told The Center Square. “For many farmers, that’s a key tool in their financial tool belt that they need to have, and without those offices being open, they will not be able to go in and start that process.” Jumping from one crisis to the next, another deadline farmers are eyeing is the end of the month sunset of the five-year farm bill. “It’s gonna push that back, but we’re still hopeful and optimistic that Congress can bring closure to the budget impasse quickly, which allows them to move onto other pressing issues such as the farm bill,” Semlow said. If the federal government shuts down on Sunday, Vilsack said that could limit technical assistance for legislators wanting to continue crafting a new farm bill. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
