Opposing Forces Against Space Force
Senate emerges as obstacle to Trump’s ‘Space Force’, The Hill
“The Senate has emerged as a major impediment to President Trump’s hopes for a new “Space Force.” While the House GOP has been largely supportive of the idea of creating a new military branch for space, skeptics in the Senate from both parties have raised concerns about its cost – and the potential for adding to bureaucratic overhead at the Pentagon. There’s a recognition that players like China are increasingly turning to space, leaving a risk that the U.S. could be left behind. But there are also fears that it will turn into an expensive boondoggle.”
“There’s a recognition that players like China are increasingly
turning to space, leaving a risk that the U.S. could be left behind. But
there are also fears that it will turn into an expensive boondoggle.”
Shorter: The Senatorial pigs at the trough now, are concerned their allotted place, and that of their vassals, will be taken by someone new.
In fact, a Space Force that cost no more than what is already appropriated for Space Command, will shift the funding by keeping the Air Staff from reprogramming funds from Space Command into keeping >50% of fighter squadrons combat ready. Instead, the money would flow through a Space Staff that prioritizes MilSpace over money for fighters. This means that the USAF will have to go to their Senators and ask for more direct funding of those fighter squadrons. That, in turn will shift other more progressive funding in government in whole new ways.
It’s just all so inconvenient when adversaries like the PLASSF and the “Space Troops of the Russian Aerospace Force” actually start doing what they have been talking about for the last 15 years. Senators have their vassals nicely balanced, and don’t want this new problem.