WASHINGTON – On Friday, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member, convened the first Senate Space Force Caucus event of this Congress. As one of the Co-Chairs of the caucus, Senator Cramer began the event – conducted virtually – by delivering remarks on the importance of Space Force. His comments were followed by presentations by Major General Leah Lauderback, Space Force’s Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; and Mr. Brad Edmonson, Chief of Intelligence, Analysis, and Production.
“Foreign adversaries like Russia and China are actively using space to weaken the United States and prepare to carry out attacks against us. To protect the safety and security of the American people, we have to properly counter that threat by bolstering our presence in this emerging domain,” said Senator Cramer. “I appreciate my Senate Space Force Caucus colleagues who joined the event and Maj. Gen. Lauderback and Mr. Edmonson who led a thorough conversation about why we must properly stand up Space Force. I look forward to using this caucus as an avenue to discuss solutions and support the growth of our nation’s newest military branch and Intelligence Community member.”
Senator Cramer was instrumental in the creation of Space Force, securing its inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act which President Trump signed in December 2019. Since then, Senator Cramer has helped with its implementation, using his seat on SASC to work with space leaders and bring them to North Dakota to see the state’s space potential firsthand. This includes General Raymond’s first official trip as the leader of Space Force, where he visited the University of North Dakota’s School of Aerospace Sciences and the Cavalier Air Force Station.
It also includes the creation of the Senate Space Force Caucus, which wasformed last year and is led by Senator Cramer and fellow Co-Chairs, Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).
