Heinrich Builds Support for Space Missions at KAFB

Press Release

U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) continued his fight earlier this week to protect small satellite programs such as Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) and the Space Test Program (STP) at Kirtland Air Force Base, critical to national security and New Mexico's economy. In a letter sent to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Rep. Heinrich and a bipartisan group of colleagues urged that HASC leadership reject the Department of Defense's proposal to repeal ORS and instead continue its long-standing support for ORS and STP.

"I will keep fighting for these space missions so that Kirtland remains a leader in cutting-edge research and development and that the jobs remain intact," said Rep. Heinrich.

"Given the increasingly competitive environment in space and the high cost of procuring traditional, multi-billion dollar satellites, we fear these cuts are penny-wise and pound-foolish," wrote Rep. Heinrich in the letter. "We must cut federal spending but spending cuts should not come at the expense of proven technologies that are also intended to lower costs."

In a March 2012 Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing, Rep. Heinrich questioned Air Force officials about the proposals, and sent a letter opposing the cuts to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on February 14, 2012.

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