Tuesday
Mar042008
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) Chairs Senate Subcommittee Hearing on Strategic Forces About Military Space Programs
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) chaired a Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces hearing on military space programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2009 and the Future Years Defense Program this afternoon.
Topics discussed at the hearing ranged from delays in the release of expensive U.S. defense technology in both space and at sea as well as Chinese and Russian space plans and their possible threats to the United States. The group panel members interrogated was diverse; they included leaders in the U.S. Air Force Space Command Program, Navy and even the Government Accountability Office.
Each panel member questioned offered a different perspective on the direction of U.S. defense policy. General C. Robert Kehler, Commander of the Air Force Space Command, talked about the “decisive advantage” that space power gives the United States and how it has shaped the “American way of warfare.”
Topics discussed at the hearing ranged from delays in the release of expensive U.S. defense technology in both space and at sea as well as Chinese and Russian space plans and their possible threats to the United States. The group panel members interrogated was diverse; they included leaders in the U.S. Air Force Space Command Program, Navy and even the Government Accountability Office.
Each panel member questioned offered a different perspective on the direction of U.S. defense policy. General C. Robert Kehler, Commander of the Air Force Space Command, talked about the “decisive advantage” that space power gives the United States and how it has shaped the “American way of warfare.”
tagged 
defense, nelson, space in News/Commentary
defense, nelson, space in News/Commentary
Thune Predicts GOP Support For Nelson Amendment
“A lot of us on the Republican side will support that amendment,” Thune said during an afternoon press conference. “I certainly hope that it passes.”
However, Thune is wary that the amendment will garner the 60 votes needed for inclusion in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
“The quesion is whether or not we can get to 60, which I think is very much in doubt. I think we can get to 50,” said Thune. “I’m enough of a realist, talking to both Democrats and Republicans, to believe that that is going to be a very heavy lift.”
Last Friday, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) stated that he does not believe the amendment will pass if it has language similar to an amendment provided by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) in the House health care bill.
The amendment may be necessary to secure the vote of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who has aired dissatisfaction with the bill’s current language on abortion funding.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Ok.) added that he believes that language similar to the Stupak amendment approved in the House will end up in the manager’s amendment.