U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, Alabama’s only Democratic vote in Washington, spoke out against the Biden administration’s reported effort to reverse the U.S. Space Command’s basing decision that would make Redstone Arsenal its permanent home. 

On Monday, it was reported the White House was unilaterally influencing that decision in favor of Colorado Springs – despite exhaustive government vetting that identified Huntsville as the top choice. 

Sewell, a leading party figure and political ally of President Biden, went to bat for Alabama. 

“The White House should immediately reconfirm Huntsville as the headquarters of Space Command,” she said. “To change course would be because of politics and not merit. Surely, the Biden Administration would not allow politics to improperly influence this decision.

1/ Both a GAO & IG report confirmed that the Air Force used a merit-based process in deciding to locate Space Command HQ in Huntsville. This conclusion was made under two separate administrations.

Huntsville is without question the best home for SPACECOM.https://t.co/YRO7iuF4MC

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) May 15, 2023

“Both a GAO & IG report confirmed that the Air Force used a merit-based process in deciding to locate Space Command HQ in Huntsville. This conclusion was made under two separate administrations,” Sewell said.

“Huntsville is without question the best home for SPACECOM.”

RELATED: AL officials blast reported attempt to reverse Space Command move

Sewell’s advocacy is persuasive to fellow Democrats in Washington. Her influence is long standing with party leadership and previous administrations. Sewell was the first African American woman elected to Congress from Alabama. 

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.