2019: Schweikert Effectively Voted For The FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Which Established The United States Space Corps. In December 2019, Schweikert effectively voted for the FY 2020 NDAA. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The agreement establishes a United States Space Corps within the Air Force Department, not as an independent department." The vote was on adoption of the conference report to accompany the bill. The House adopted the conference report by a vote of 377-48. The bill was later passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President. [House Vote 672, 12/11/19; Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/19; Congressional Actions, S.1790]
- The FY 2020 NDAA Established The Space Corps As An Independent Department Within The Air Force Department. According to Congressional Quarterly, "President Trump has pushed for creation of a separate Space Force as a free standing command, i.e. an independent department like the Army, Navy or Air Force. The agreement establishes a United States Space Corps within the Air Force Department, not as an independent department. Like the Marine Corps under the U.S. Navy, the Space Corps would be led by a four-star Commandant who would be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There would be no civilian head like those for the Army, Navy and Air Force." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/19]