[SpaceNews] NDAA conference agreement establishes U.S. Space Force, directs major overhaul of space acquisitions
The NDAA also establishes an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy as the senior civilian in the Office of the Secretary of Defense
WASHINGTON — Congressional defense committee leaders on Dec. 9 unveiled the conference agreement they have reached for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
The conference report includes language to authorize a U.S. Space Force as an independent military branch under the Department of the Air Force.
“The FY20 NDAA recognizes space as a warfighting domain and establishes the U.S. Space Force in Title 10 as the sixth Armed Service of the United States, under the U.S. Air Force,” says a summary of the report released by the committees Dec. 9.
The language in the NDAA marks a key victory for the Trump administration. In a Dec. 6 deal, the White House agreed to grant 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal workers in exchange for the Space Force authorization. The parental leave provision was a top priority for Democrats while the White House has been insistent that any deal should include language to authorize the Space Force.
The House is expected to vote on the compromise bill on Dec. 11. The Senate will take it up at a later date.
Gen Raymond is excited
|