U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined 10 colleagues to introduce the Space National Guard Establishment Act.
The legislation serves as the Senate companion to a measure introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) last year.
Three years ago, active-duty space units were moved out of the Air Force and placed in the new Space Force upon its establishment, the senators noted, acknowledging no corresponding action was taken to create a Space Force National Guard component.
“Without a National Guard component for Space Force, we risk losing many talented individuals who want to keep serving their country and their states after they leave active duty, and that is simply unacceptable,” Feinstein said. “Creating a Space Force National Guard would also save money and ensure a smoother process in the event we need to activate personnel. Not establishing a Space National Guard was a mistake when Space Force was created, and this bill will remedy that.”
According to the lawmakers, there are over 1,000 National Guard members performing the space mission from within the Air National Guard, and a National Guard for the Space Force would ensure active-duty Space Force personnel who leave active duty would be able to continue serving the country and their states.
“Creating a Space National Guard would boost our military readiness and increase efficiency,” Rubio said. “It would also ensure that the Space Force retains needed talent. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this commonsense bill.”