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GRAND FORKS, ND – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member and Senate Space Force Caucus Co-Chair, outlined the progress being made to stand up the United States Space Force in remarks he delivered this morning at the 14th annual UAS Summit and Expo, which met virtually this year.
“I am pleased with how Space Force is building its staff and initial cadre. Slow and deliberate, with as much focus on what they don’t need while still growing to what they do need,” said Senator Cramer. “These are the things Congress is watching as Space Force looks to achieve that success. I was disappointed to see Space Force related funding anomalies didn’t make it into the Continuing Resolution, but I am confident when the National Defense Authorization Act and this year’s appropriations bills pass, Space Force will continue on its journey to becoming the world’s leader in space.”
Senator Cramer led the effort in the Senate last year to create Space Force, working with his colleagues and the Trump Administration to secure its inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act. Learn more here.
In addition to his remarks, Senator Cramer also invited Director of the Space Development Agency (SDA), Dr. Derek Tournear, to speak at the Summit about the Defense Department’s efforts to bolster American presence in space. Earlier this month, Senator Cramer hosted Director Tourneaur in North Dakota to meet with stakeholders and learn about the state’s space potential.
Space Force also provided Senator Cramer with a recruitment video to play at the Summit. Click here to watch.