U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) are vocally reaffirming their support for Marshall Space Flight Center as the future of the Space Launch System (SLS) continues to draw the speculation of national media.

“It is no secret China is aggressively advancing their technology and space programs, threatening both U.S. national and economic security,” Britt said. “The U.S. space program is vitally important, and I am proud that Alabama and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center continue to play an integral role in redefining the boundaries of human imagination and the heights of human achievement.”

Britt is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies — which funds NASA. She has championed the Yellowhammer State’s role in deep space exploration, both during the Biden Administration and now President Donald Trump’s second term.

RELATED: Britt helps provide billion-dollar boost for NASA in Alabama

“In my meetings with members of President Trump’s team, I have touted Alabama’s second-to-none capabilities and will continue to highlight how Alabamians are pivotal to fulfilling President Trump’s mission for space exploration and to get American astronauts to Mars,” Britt noted.

“While we need to ensure the cost effectiveness of the program, the SLS rocket—the most powerful in world history—is the only rocket currently capable of taking astronauts and large cargo directly to lunar orbit in a single launch. We will need multiple solutions and capabilities for assured access to space, especially given the threat of the Chinese Communist Party,” she added.

NASA’s “Moon to Mars” effort is estimated to have an economic output in Alabama of more than $5 billion, supporting over 22,000 jobs in the state between NASA and the private sector.

Tuberville, Alabama’s senior Senator, has taken to the Senate floor previously to defend NASA from Democrat attempts that would negatively impact work done at Marshall Space Flight Center.

In comments to Reuters this week, Tuberville also backed the future of SLS.

“The SLS will be fine,” Tuberville said. “I know that there’s a lot – because of Elon Musk involved in the DOGE situation – there’s a lot of rumors out there on that, but I got full confidence on the SLS and the future for them.”