Lieutenant Gov. Will Ainsworth is in Washington, D.C, where he plans to discuss relocating U.S. Space Command to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and widening I-65 "from the Tennessee line to the Gulf of America."
Ainsworth took to X on Thursday with a picture of himself at the White House, saying he was there to advocate for multiple Alabama-related projects.
"I am at the White House today to discuss widening I-65 from the Tennessee line to the Gulf of America, relocating Space Command to its rightful home in Huntsville, and other issues important to Alabama and its future," Ainsworth wrote. "It's good that President Trump loves our Sweet Home Alabama."
Since the election of Donald Trump last November, Ainsworth and other politicos have made relocating U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville after the Biden administration snub.
In January 2021, the Secretary of the Air Force identified the Redstone Arsenal site in Huntsville as the top choice for the SPACECOM headquarters. The recommendation for the site was then affirmed by the Inspector General's Office and the Government Accountability Office, both of which found that the Air Force had conducted an accurate analysis and Huntsville was the superior location.
However, on July 31, 2023, President Joe Biden reversed the decision to locate SPACECOM in Huntsville and instead selected a location in Colorado.
SEE: Alabama's federal delegation blasts Biden's decision to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs
An Ainsworth-specific cause championed in recent years is also on the list of subjects for the state's second in command. Ainsworth has long advocated for widening the state's most traveled interstate, I-65, complaining often of constant congestion and delays.
Ainsworth has butted heads with Gov. Kay Ivey and the executive branch over the administration's lack of attention to what is perceived as a growing problem on the state's roadways.
RELATED: Ivey, Ainsworth trade barbs on I-65 widening as embattled ALDOT director John Cooper is under fire
Last year, in a speech at an Alabama Republican Party dinner event, Trump vowed to widen I-65 from Huntsville to Mobile, saying it would be "[o]ne of the first things that I will do to help the great people of Alabama."
See also: Ainsworth vows to revisit Trump on I-65 widening pledge
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
