A report surfaced Monday revealing the Biden administration's plans to reverse course on moving U.S. Space Command headquarters to Alabama due to the state's abortion law.
The report received fierce backlash from Alabama's congressional delegation.
Former President Donald Trump picked the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the new permanent home for Space Command. The Arsenal has since repeatedly ranked at the top of the list of potential locations for Space Command over its current location in Colorado.
According to Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), the decision to move Space Command to Redstone should be clear and criticized the Biden administration's political agenda.
"It's really alarming to me to know that the Biden administration is treating things the way they are politically," Ledbetter said. "First of all, the border is a disaster. They won't admit it. They're not correcting it. And there's no question in anybody's mind that Redstone Arsenal should be the place for Space Command. It's all politics. And it should be concerning to all Americans when our administration is playing politics over what's best for our country. And there's no question in my mind, especially with space command, that that's happening."
The Alabama Legislature is currently entertaining two bills addressing transgenders in the state, both sponsored by State Rep. Susan Dubose (R-Hoover).
The What is a Woman Act, or House Bill 405 (HB405), would define man, woman, boy, girl, father, mother, male, female and sex to use the terms in the Code of Alabama.
House Bill 261 (HB261) would require all public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education to prohibit biological males from participating in athletic teams or sports designated for females and vice versa.
HB 261 needs only to concur in the House before going to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. HB 405 has yet to receive a vote in House committee.
State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity) also introduced a bill to criminalize abortion as murder in the state. However, Ledbetter has expressed skepticism of the bill's chances.
1819 News asked Ledbetter if concerns over Space Command would affect his legislative priorities by not pushing the envelope with more controversial bills.
"I don't think so," Ledbetter replied. "I think we'll continue to do what we need to do for Alabama."
"I think it's more important probably now, Craig, even than before because of what's going on in D.C. I mean, when they do two different studies, space command comes back twice that [Redstone] is the best place to put [Space Command], and then the administration is looking at something different, that's a problem. It's not just a problem for Alabama. It's a problem for our country when we make decisions like that based on politics."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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