A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers, led by U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.), has sent a strong letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), urging immediate and decisive action to safeguard and enhance Florida’s position as a global leader in aerospace advancements.
The letter, addressed to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, highlights concerns over the coordination efficiency between the two federal agencies and with commercial partners, calling for modernized systems to meet the demands of the state’s burgeoning space and aviation sectors.
Call for Airspace Coordination Team (ACT)
The central request of the delegation is the creation of an Airspace Coordination Team (ACT), which would comprise both government and industry stakeholders. The lawmakers argue that this integrated framework is crucial for strengthening the infrastructure supporting the state’s spaceport and ensuring efficient and secure air and space travel.
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Rep. Steube emphasized the state’s pivotal role, stating, “From Cape Canaveral to the Suncoast, Florida is the cornerstone of America’s vibrant aerospace sector… It is critical that we preserve Florida’s leadership role in the global space race.” He called on the DOT and FAA leaders to “improve the efficiency and security of air and space travel by modernizing their respective agencies.”
Streamlining Operations and Fragmentation
In addition to proposing the ACT, the letter seeks clarification from the DOT and FAA on their strategies for improving efficiency and addressing problems stemming from the fragmentation of responsibilities within their agencies. It further requests an update on the certification of the Space Data Integrator (SDI) capability, a critical component for managing the increasing volume of launches.
The delegation underscored the urgency of modernization as launch frequency increases. “As launches grow more frequent, our technology and infrastructure must evolve to meet the pace,” said Rep. Mike Haridopolos. Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez echoed this, saying, “Establishing an Airspace Coordination Team and modernizing our radar and air traffic control systems will strengthen Florida’s leadership in aerospace innovation and ensure the United States maintains its global edge in space.”
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Bipartisan Unity for ‘America’s Gateway to Space’
The effort demonstrates remarkable bipartisan unity, bringing together a broad coalition of federal and state representatives. On the federal level, Rep. Steube is joined by Senator Ashley Moody and two dozen representatives, including Darren Soto (D-Fla.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), illustrating the issue’s state-wide importance.
Rep. Daniel Webster succinctly framed the high stakes, stating, “By modernizing our airspace infrastructure and establishing a coordinated framework, we can ensure the second space race to the Moon and beyond launches first from Florida and not China.”
The letter is also supported by a bipartisan group of Florida House of Representatives members, with State Rep. Kim Kendall (HD-18), a former FAA air traffic controller, noting, “At the state level, we’re moving full steam ahead—focused on growing our aerospace sector across the board, from space and military operations to commercial flight, drones, urban air mobility, workforce housing, and education.”
The lawmakers hope the pressure from the Florida delegation will spur the federal agencies to implement the necessary coordination and modernization efforts to protect the state’s economic and national security interests in the evolving domain of air and space travel.
Key Signatories (Federal): Sen. Ashley Moody and Reps. Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kat Cammack, Mario Díaz-Balart, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Carlos A. Gimenez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, Jared Moskowitz, Jimmy Patronis, John Rutherford, María Elvira Salazar, Darren Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Daniel Webster.
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