Sen. Inhofe to play direct role in Space Force development

Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe could have a big hand in the creation of the U.S. Space Force under the Trump Administration. He is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and one of the early opportunities to help shape the legislation will go to his committee.

The Defense Department has sent the proposal to Congress after President trump issued his Space Policy Directive-4 on Feb. 19, 2019. The President, with the backing of NASA administrator and former Oklahoma congressman Jim Bridenstine, wants to use the Space Force to defend the U.S. space interests.

The proposal would stand-up the U.S. Space Force over a five year period starting in FY 2020. In the first year, the proposal asks for $72 million and would initially be housed in the Department of the Air Force including a four-star Space Force chief of staff with full membership in the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Inhofe welcomes the proposal.

“We’ve known for some time that China and Russia are increasing their investment and challenging our dominance in space. The threats are real, which is why I welcome the president’s legislative proposal for creating the U.S. Space Force. In the coming days and weeks the committee and I will review the proposal and work with the Administration to best address the threats with maximum efficiency and effectiveness,” said Inhofe.

You can review the U.S. Space Force proposal here.