Latest news with #ConsolidatingAerospaceProgramsEfficientlyatCanaveralAct
The Hill
02-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Donalds unveils legislation to move NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast
Florida gubernatorial candidate and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) is set to introduce legislation in the House proposing that NASA headquarters be moved from Washington, D.C. to Florida. The legislation's co-sponsors include a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers, including Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), Mara Salazar (R-Fla.), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.), and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). The bill, titled Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral Act, is the House version of a Senate bill that was introduced by Florida Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.). The bill proposes moving NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County within one year of enactment. The space coast is home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Hill was the first outlet to report on the House version of the legislation. Proponents of moving NASA to Florida point to the existing aerospace infrastructure along the Space Coast. They also note that Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Spaceforce Stations are primary launch sites for NASA and that having headquarters close by would streamline operations. Florida's proximity to the equator also makes it a prime location for launches. The effort from Florida lawmakers comes as the lease on NASA Headquarters in Washington is set to expire in August of 2028. However, lawmakers from the Sunshine State are not the only ones pushing to relocate NASA to their home state. Last month, a group of Ohio lawmakers sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance, who is from Ohio, and President Trump's pick to lead NASA Jared Isaacman, advocating to move the agency's headquarters to Cleveland. The letter was signed by Ohio GOP Reps. Max Miller, Troy Balderson, Mike Carey, Warren Davidson, Jim Jordan, Dave Joyce, Bob Latta, Michael Rulli, Dave Taylor and Mike Turner as well as Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Ohio Sens. Bernie Moreno (R) and Jon Husted (R) also signed the letter.
Miami Herald
21-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Florida's senators are right. Move NASA from Washington to Cape Canaveral
Florida may soon be home to NASA's headquarters — that is, if U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody get their way. Last week, Scott and Moody introduced legislation titled Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral Act, or the CAPE Canaveral Act, to move the headquarters of NASA to the Space Coast from Washington. The move makes total sense. Since 1981, Florida has been the proud home of numerous space shuttle launches. Kennedy Space Center, which conducts research and development for the next era of space exploration, is located here. Cape Canaveral, the coastal geographic area, is deeply intertwined with the development of America's space program, starting back in the 1950s. Since 2015, Elon Musk's space technology company, SpaceX, also has had launch sites at both Port Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Cape Canaveral was initially chosen as the site for the space center because the surrounding area was undeveloped, and the climate allowed for year-round operations. Cape Canaveral is expected to see over 150 rocket launches this year alone. The infrastructure, talent and private-sector ecosystem are already here — so why shouldn't the agency's leadership be here too? It makes operational sense. Supporters of the move include Rob Long, president of Space Florida, the aerospace economic development agency for the state, who said in Florida Today last month that moving NASA headquarters to Florida 'makes a lot of sense, if you think about it. Every NASA program that goes into space — (except) probably a handful of exceptions — has to come through Kennedy Space Center anyway to get to orbit. And so, why not move the headquarters here?' Critics argue NASA should keep its headquarters in Washington to help ensure funding. But proximity to the nation's capital is hardly a guarantee of funding — just ask the Department of Education. Moving the headquarters isn't about abandoning Washington. It's about bringing those who work in the headquarters closer to the heart of the space program. Decision-makers should be where the action is, not hundreds of miles away in a half-empty building — NASA's current D.C. headquarters has seen occupancy rates as low as 15%. The current lease in Washington is set to expire in 2028, and despite rumors, NASA has said it is 'not building a new headquarters.' Aside from the symbolism of moving NASA's headquarters to the Sunshine State, this would be strategic, focusing on operational efficiency. When Moody introduced the bill earlier this month, she called Florida 'the gateway to space,' and said the proposal would save tax dollars, 'encourage collaboration with private space companies, and tap into Florida's talented workforce to spur further innovation.' Florida's past has been about space, and its future should be, too. Just this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the completion of the NASA Causeway Bridge near Titusville, which was built to accommodate wider, heavier cargo and support the growing needs of space program activities. 'Florida is committed to building the infrastructure the space industry needs to keep growing, and with these new bridges, Florida is more ready than ever to become home to NASA's new headquarters,' DeSantis said. The Sunshine State has the infrastructure, the workforce and the track record to support NASA's next chapter. From rocket trails in the sky to a great business climate on the ground, Florida is where much of the space mission already happens. It's time to align the agency's leadership with its launch point and bring NASA home to Florida. Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Her email: mmancuso@
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans unveil bill relocating NASA headquarters to Florida
Republican Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody introduced a bill Friday proposing the NASA headquarters, currently in Washington, be moved to Florida. Titled Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral Act, referred to as the CAPE Canaveral Act, the legislation would relocate the NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County. The region houses the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Scott's office called Florida 'a common sense choice' for the new headquarters. 'There's no better place for NASA's headquarters than Florida's Space Coast, where our nation's brightest minds innovate and help America reach for the stars,' Scott said in a statement. 'Moving to Florida will not only save Americans' tax dollars, it will enhance efficiency and streamline operations in this important industry with proximity to private-sector partners and a top-tier workforce ready to help America reach its space exploration goals,' he added. Echoing the sentiment, Moody said Florida is the leader in space exploration and aerospace innovation, adding that 'establishing NASA's headquarters within the Space Coast will bridge the bureaucracy gap from the top down and bring stakeholders together.' 'Florida is the gateway to space and this commonsense proposal would save taxpayers money, encourage collaboration with private space companies, and tap into Florida's talented workforce to spur further innovation,' she added. Scott and Moody are not the only lawmakers calling for the relocation of NASA's headquarters to their state with the building's lease set to expire in 2028. On Tuesday, a group of Ohio lawmakers in Congress pushed for NASA headquarters to be moved from Washington, D.C., to Cleveland. The lawmakers wrote a letter to Vice President Vance, who is from Ohio, and Jared Isaacman, President Trump's pick to lead NASA, that moving the space agency's HQ would serve as 'a significant opportunity to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.' The letter was signed by Ohio GOP Reps. Max Miller, Troy Balderson, Mike Carey, Warren Davidson, Jim Jordan, Dave Joyce, Bob Latta, Michael Rulli, Dave Taylor and Mike Turner as well as Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Ohio Sens. Bernie Moreno (R) and Jon Husted (R) also signed the letter. These efforts come as the Trump administration has sought to transform various federal agencies and departments, cutting spending and reducing the government workforce. The administration has also indicated it would like to sell some federal buildings. In other office moves, Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler signaled she would move several offices out of 'sanctuary cities,' arguing that existing locations are bad for small business communities and not complying with federal immigration law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
