The U.S. Air Force's fiscal year 2016 budget request marked an important shift for a small but critical element of our national security: Operationally Responsive Space (ORS). For three consecutive years, the Pentagon attempted to terminate the ORS program, which seeks to design, build and launch satellites, faster and at less cost. Along with my colleagues, I fought to preserve our nation's responsive space capabilities by restoring the program's budget. This year I'm pleased to see a budget request that no longer lists a zero next to ORS. Our nation faces a $.16 trillion debt, and it only makes sense to evaluate and recommend changes or even terminate programs if they are not strategic or fiscally sound. ORS, however, is a program that makes perfect sense from both the monetary and military perspective.
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