Wayne Allard: “I am proud to have sponsored this amendment with my good friend from Florida, Senator Nelson. We both have a strong…”

“I am proud to have sponsored this amendment with my good friend from Florida, Senator Nelson. We both have a strong interest in space, for personal and constituent reasons, and believe this amendment, while only a Sense of the Senate, is important to show that the Senate is on record supporting assured access to space. United States national security and economic vitality depend on our ability to launch a variety of satellites into earth orbit. Access to and utilization of space provides an advantage to the United States that must be maintained. Unfortunately, significant contractions in the commercial space launch marketplace have eroded the overall viability of the United States space launch industrial base and could jeopardize the ability of the Department of Defense to provide assured access to space in the future. The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, EELV, program is the Air Force's solution for assured access. EELV is designed to be more responsive and affordable than current launch vehicles.”