WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently (CAPE) at Canaveral Act, or the CAPE Canaveral Act, directing the relocation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters to Florida’s Space Coast. NASA will soon undergo a rebuild of its headquarters in Washington, yet as an example of nonsensical government waste, the current building was filled to only 15 percent capacity. Florida is a world leader in space exploration and the ideal location for rocket launches, partnerships with private space companies, and a robust, skilled aerospace workforce bringing true efficiency and collaboration to NASA. Senator Rick Scott is a cosponsor of the CAPE Canaveral Act.
Senator Ashley Moody said, “Florida is the leader in space exploration and aerospace innovation. 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. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we must ensure that any new building will be filled with employees—not empty like we have been seeing in Washington the last four years. Let’s pass the CAPE Canaveral Act and get NASA headquartered in Florida where it will thrive.”
Senator Rick Scott said, “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. 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. We have worked hard to make Florida the thriving aerospace hub it is today, and I look forward to the quick passage of our legislation and welcoming NASA to the best state in the nation!”
Space Florida CEO Rob Long said, “We are grateful to Senator Moody and Senator Scott for their leadership and foresight in advocating to move NASA’s headquarters to Florida. This solution takes advantage of Florida’s place as the center of America’s aerospace economy while creating a cost-effective solution that would release NASA from the bureaucratic shackles within the Beltway. It is a logical step to fuel innovation. Moving NASA’s leadership closer to where the bulk of the mission happens every day just makes sense.”
Cape Canaveral is home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, seaport facilities at Port Canaveral, and the headquarters of Space Florida. U.S. Space Force Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) is headquartered just miles away at Patrick Space Force Base. Recent private investments highlight Cape Canaveral as the vanguard of future achievements in space exploration and potentially the home for the inaugural missions to Mars.
Florida has long been the preeminent location for space exploration and aerospace technological development dating back to the 1958 founding of NASA and the ambitious Apollo missions to the moon launched from Kennedy Space Center. The State of Florida has since fostered private aerospace development through the creation of Space Florida in 2006 to attract private industry to invest in innovation and launch infrastructure in Florida. President Donald J. Trump’s creation of the Space Force within the Department of Defense has bolstered Florida’s importance to aerospace competition and defense due to the location of Space Force training facilities near Kennedy Space Center.
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