(WASHINGTON, DC)—Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after President Donald Trump directed the Air Force to begin creation of a separate Space Force today at the White House during the National Space Council meeting. “I am thrilled to see President Trump’s continued support of this important mission.

We have worked for over two years together on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Strategic Forces subcommittee on this issue. There is an absolute need for a Space Force as a separate organization in the Department of Defense. As President Trump said today, ‘When it comes to defending America, it is not enough to merely have an American presence in space.

We must have American dominance in space.’ I completely agree with President Trump.” President Trump and Rogers talked about the importance of the issue via phone this spring.

Rogers is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and serves as Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.