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Colorado Republican Doug Lamborn has been chosen as the ranking member of the House subcommittee which oversees missile defense and nuclear weapons programs, as well as space defense. The appointment is good news for Colorado, which hosts the United States Space Command near Colorado Springs and would like to keep it there. Lamborn represents Colorado Springs in the House, making the choice even more fitting.
Colorado Republican gets opportunity to keep Space Force in state
Location is not the only advantage Lamborn had in securing the position; strategic defense concerns have been a passion of his for years and leading this subcommittee was a longtime goal.
If Republicans secure a majority in the House in the 2022 elections then Lamborn will be elevated to Chair of the subcommittee, replacing Democrat Jim Cooper.
Lamborn has been the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee, which oversees military readiness and training, for the several years.
Gaining this position on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee was a goal for Lamborn, however. As a representative for Colorado Springs these issues have always been of particular interest to him and to his constituents.
This subcommittee, which originally organized the Space Force, will give Lamborn an opportunity to oppose a decision made by the Trump White House to move its headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama.
The House Armed Services Committee approved of Lamborn’s efforts to stall the move last year but the provision was removed from the bill which included it before Congress as a whole passed it.
Strategic defense modernization a concern
The Colorado Republican cites threats from China as the main priority for his new subcommittee, pointing out that the Chinese nuclear arsenal is rapidly expanding.
Russia is also mentioned as a concern by Lamborn. The Russian military has devoted significant resources to developing new missiles and anti-satellite weapons which the United States is not currently capable of countering effectively.
The United States has not kept pace with the modernization programs of either country and Lamborn wants to use his new position to ensure that American strategic defenses are not falling behind.
Russia has already tested anti-satellite missiles which should be a major concern for the Space Force, a concern which could bring more economic benefits to Colorado.
The state already has a major industry in producing rockets and satellites which, along with other Space Force related work, contributes millions of dollars to local economies.
Lamborn hopes that in his new position he can serve both the interests of voters in Colorado Springs and American strategic defenses on a global scale.
