Report from Washington, D.C.

Throughout October, most of the activity on Capitol Hill was largely focused on tax reform, but there was some space-related activity.

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations Capitol Hill Congressional activity has resumed in September with the return of the House and Senate from August Recess. While budget processes and healthcare legislation have dominated the landscape, there have been several developments in the space community. On Sept. 7, the House Space Subcommittee…

On June 30, President Trump signed an executive order re-establishing the National Space Council for the first time since 1993, and appointed Vice President Pence chairman. Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer Shelli Brunswick (pictured far right below) attended the signing, which was also attended by former NASA astronauts Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Col. Alvin Drew, Dr.…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations AdministrationThere have been several important developments in the space policy community during the past month. On the last day of June, President Trump officially signed the National Space Council back into existence for the first time since 1993. Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer Shelli Brunswick…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations On the evening of July 26, the Space Foundation hosted a reception on Capitol Hill, along with the U.S. Air Force Legislative Liaison Office, to highlight the work of Air Force Space Command. U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein and Commander of…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations The focus on Capitol Hill during June was largely on the President’s budget request for fiscal year 2018, which was released at the end of May. On June 7, the House Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the FY18 budget request for missile…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations May was a busy month in Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill has been buzzing with activity, including several space and cyber-related hearings.On May 17, the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on military space organization, policy and programs. The…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations Space policy activity in April kicked off with the Space Foundation’s 33rd annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, where one of the more widely discussed policy topics throughout the week was Air Force Space Command. At the Symposium’s Government Affairs Breakfast, Chairman of the House…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations March was a busy month in the space policy community. On March 7, the House of Representatives passed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, its first NASA Authorization bill in over six years. The bill, largely bipartisan, had previously passed the Senate in February,…

by Charles A. Harris, Space Foundation Manager – Washington Operations On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Space Foundation hosted its second annual Faga Forum on Space Intelligence in Chantilly, Va. This TS/SCI classification level conference was held in collaboration with SAIC. The event was well attended, with participants from government and industry gathering to discuss current…