[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 144 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1416-E1417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONCERN FOR CRITICAL NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE PROGRAMS UNDER A 
                         CONTINUING RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 2015

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
concern that funding for critical national security space programs will 
be disrupted under a continuing resolution.
  Disrupting funding for essential warfighting capabilities for space 
protection, assured access to space, satellite communications and 
missile warning will weaken our national security and risk significant 
delays in development of these important missions.
  General John Hyten, commander of U.S. Air Force Space Command, 
recently stated that a continuing resolution would delay several new 
classified and unclassified programs aimed at U.S. space protection.
  He also expressed concern that failure to pass a budget would delay 
the development of a new rocket propulsion system prototype intended to 
end our dependence on the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine.
  Additionally, due to the uncertainty created by the absence of a 
full-year appropriations bill for the Department of Defense, the Air 
Force is purportedly prepared to issue stop work orders on two 
essential satellite communications and missile warning programs under 
the Space Modernization Initiative (SMI).
  The overall SMI strategy is to invest in creating trade space for 
future decisions through investments to sustain or improve existing 
capabilities by exploring technology alternatives and architectures. 
These efforts ensure affordability, capability and resiliency of our 
space systems.

[[Page E1417]]

  For example, the Wide Field of View (WFOV) testbed initiative 
supports affordability and risk reduction efforts for the nation's 
critical overhead missile warning capability.
  Cuts or delays to funding would risk the ability for the WFOV 
initiative to support current data exploitation efforts and could delay 
a commercial launch opportunity. A stop work order under a CR places 
the WFOV effort and other SMI efforts at significant risk despite full 
support from the Senate Appropriations Committee for the program.
  Unfortunately, our inability to pass a budget has created uncertainty 
that endangers our national security space programs.
  I urge the Department of Defense and the Air Force to leverage the 
funding levels authorized by law under a continuing resolution to 
sustain development of these critical national security space systems.

                          ____________________