HASC Strategic Forces Subcommitte Marks Up FY2010 DOD Authorization Bill (H.R. 2647)

The House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Strategic Forces marked up its portion of the FY2010 DOD authorization bill, H.R. 2647, on June 11, 2009. The subcommittee’s mark includes $11 billion for national security space programs, including $9 billion for Air Force space programs. Other HASC subcommittees also are marking up this week, and full committee markup is scheduled for next week (June 16, 10:00 am, 2118 Rayburn).

Full details have not been made public yet, but subcommittee chair Rep. Ellen Tauscher’s (D-CA) opening statement revealed that there are cuts to the Third Generation Infrared Satellite System, to the High Integrity GPS program, and to the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program (reflecting the need for one fewer EELV in FY2010). An addition of $23 million was made for Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) to fully fund the first operational satellite in that series, ORS Sat-1. The subcommittee also is requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit annually at the time of the budget request a “space science and technology strategy.” Ranking Member Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH) said in his opening statement that the subcommittee report also “directs a review of options for restructuring the NPOESS” program and “development of a strategy to address protected satellite communications requirements, given the TSAT cancellation.”

Most of the markup was spent with Members on both sides of the aisle praising Rep. Tauscher, who has been nominated to be Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Her nomination hearing was held last week so this likely is the last subcommittee meeting that she will chair.