Federal Agenda 2017

Federal Agenda

2017

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER, ALABAMA

To the Members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation and their staff: We are grateful to the members of the Alabama Congressional delegation for their leadership on the issues critical to the Huntsville/ Madison County region, especially those impacting our Nation’s defense and space policies. With our delegation’s support, our region continues to prosper as a science and technology powerhouse.

Our business community functions best with predictable and dependable funding for federal programs. The Budget Control Act, with its sequestration clause for controlling spending, has reduced predictability and reduced Congressional flexibility to fund the Government effectively. In addition, the inability of the Congressional and Executive Branch to authorize and appropriate the federal budget in an orderly, predictable process has reduced dependability and timeliness of Federal funding. We request that our members vigorously support efforts to eliminate sequestration, return to regular order for formulating and producing a Federal Budget, and increase, across the board, overall funding for science and technology, and advanced research and development for defense and aerospace programs.

The Tennessee Valley Authority provides power to 490,000 households and 98,500 commercial and industrial customers in 17 Alabama counties in North Alabama. Their impact on the region – including their role with economic development assistance; power plants; power production; river navigation; flood control and vast recreational opportunities for the pleasure of Alabamians – makes them a critical partner. Alabama citizens deserve a voice in setting TVA policy and direction, and the Chamber requests that the Delegation work to ensure that Alabama have representation on the TVA board.

Serious cyber security vulnerabilities are a prevalent and growing threat to our national security today. Cyber risks can undermine the quality and reliability of vital equipment and processes upon which this nation relies for national security dominance and daily services. As a nation, we must become more proactive in our efforts to “cyber-secure” our businesses, infrastructure, defense, and public safety systems that sustain our economy and underpin our national security. The U.S. needs a comprehensive national strategy and integrated security plan to adequately respond to cyber threats and supply chain vulnerabilities.

This Agenda summarizes the most critical federal issues facing our region. Additional information regarding these issues and a number of other important federal programs and issues that have significant local and national impact is included in an accompanying Issues Book. ​

Thank you from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Expanding the Tennessee Valley’s Excellence in Cyber Security National Strategic Defense Systems, designed/developed at Redstone Arsenal, require a rapid, integrated, agile framework, and processes to mitigate and prevent the substantial increase in known/unknown cyberattacks posing a destructive impact to critical National/State/Public infrastructure, industry, education, and financial resources. The complex, ambiguous boundaries and authorities related to command and control create a requirement for centralized coordination across the Tennessee Valley. Government and industry must partner to develop solutions for cyber defense and share the lessons learned from the cyber forensics of previous attacks to achieve the best posture against the cyber threats. Our cyber workforce, in collaboration with upper and mid-management, engineers, scientists, business analysts, factory workers, and small business owners must possess the necessary training, skills, and support structure to defend against cyber threats. The convergence of Federal, State, local governments and industry located in

Huntsville provides an ideal place to implement a study to assess the vulnerabilities, identify scenarios, appropriate response resources (funding sources, personnel, equipment, facilities, policy, law) and barriers to execution – creating a cyber-safe, secure, resilient, and sustainable community. Funding support from Congress will enable the study. Team Redstone, comprised of all federal agencies located on Redstone Arsenal, will continue to pioneer the way to properly defend our aviation and missile system-of-system level demonstrations, battlefield systems, and soldiers against these invasive threats and their efforts.

Requested Actions: • Add research and development funding to the Aviation and Missile RD&E Center for aviation and missile technology development, as well as a good foundation for a Redstone “cyber campus” to support all Team Redstone members.

• Increase funding for PEO Missiles & Space and PEO Aviation for cyber security and supply chain security analyses in support of both missile systems and aviation, including unmanned aerial systems.

2017 FEDERAL AGENDA, continued • In FY16, the U.S. Army AMRDEC initiated an Advanced Scientific Research Program in cyber security and supply chain risk management. The Advanced Scientific Research Program funding should be sustained in FY17 and increased in FY18 and beyond.

• Sustain and increase funding for the AMRDEC-MSIC offensedefense interaction in the cyber warfare domain.

• Funding to implement the study to assess the vulnerabilities, identify scenarios, and appropriate response resources necessary to execute a collaborative, cross-boundary response in the event of a cyberattack.

• Provide research funding for The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Southeast Region Cyber Research Center (SERCRC) to establish an expanded facility for educational collaborations in the fast-changing field of cybersecurity; resource it with stateof-the-art equipment; hire additional national experts to staff the facility for the first two years.

Support for the FBI and ATF The FBI has relocated and expanded its Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) to Redstone Arsenal. Synergies with other federal agencies co-located at Redstone have significantly enhanced the value proposition realized in relocating the TEDAC to Redstone. The FBI has developed significant plans to further grow its campus at Redstone.

National Importance: Further growth of FBI operations at Redstone will strengthen the FBI’s access to intelligence and scientific resources not available at other locations. Additionally, Redstone Arsenal offers a low-cost, secure environment with an extremely favorable quality of life.

Community Importance: Buildout of the FBI Master Plan will have a significant, favorable economic impact on the region. The FBI estimates that full execution of the plan will bring 5,500 jobs to the region.

Requested Action: Full implementation of the FBI’s Master Plan as quickly as possible.

Roads President Trump has made improvement of U.S. infrastructure a key priority for his administration. The Huntsville/Madison County region’s infrastructure is challenged to keep up with growth.

Investment in these projects will improve transportation networks to more efficiently move commuters, freight, and services. Good infrastructure is vital for the continued growth of the Tennessee Valley, inclusive of Redstone Arsenal. The Chairman of the Madison County Commission, the Mayors of Huntsville and Madison, and Redstone Arsenal leadership have jointly endorsed the following key projects as the top road priorities for the region: • I-565 to I-65: Add additional lanes along I-565 from SR 255 to I-65 to ease traffic congestion from increased passenger and cargo traffic moving along this important economic corridor.

• I-565/Research Park Boulevard Interchange Modification at Gate 9: Funding these needed interchange modifications to support exponential growth in traffic at Redstone Arsenal and the adjacent Redstone Gateway development.

• I-565 and Madison Boulevard (Exit 13) Interchange Modification for Resolute Way access at Redstone Arsenal:

Improvements through the commercial corridor to address major traffic issues on a route critical to Redstone Arsenal and Research Park commuters.

• Research Park Boulevard from I-565 to North of US 72: Provide funding to begin the design and construction of additional lanes to State Road 255 to support the recent exponential growth in traffic at Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park.

• Arsenal Eastern Connector: Provide support and funding for implementing a final Corridor Study and Preliminary Engineering.

• US 72 East/ARC Corridor V from Shields Road eastward to the county line: Funding be allocated and appropriated through any remaining ARC dedicated monies and any eligible MAP-21 funds as soon as possible to improve this much needed corridor.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd/Northern Bypass: Interchange at Memorial Parkway and extending the Northern Bypass from U.S. 231 to U.S. 72. Request support and funding for this project to provide more capacity and accessibility as a result of regional workforce traffic demand.

• Memorial Parkway at Mastin Lake Road: This project completes the next phase of non-stop traffic along US 231. Completing this project will allow non-stop traffic flow from Mastin Lake Drive in north Huntsville to Weatherly Road in south Huntsville.

• US Highway 72 West from Providence Main to County Line Road: This project improves overall traffic flow and provides critical capacity and safety improvements along this urban principal east-west arterial with average daily traffic volumes ranging from 32,000 to 45,000 vehicles per day.

U.S. Human Space Flight & Exploration Policy The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) continues to provide significant economic impact to the region. Programs managed and supported by the Center have national significance, and represent the most technically diverse portfolio of any NASA Center, supporting engineering and science. More than 3,600 local jobs are currently supporting the Space Launch System and International Space Station programs at MSFC. In addition to the development of historically significant space transportation systems, MSFC continues its decades-long legacy in Earth and Space Science research. Continued support of MSFC, its propulsion and science programs, and sustenance of its critical skills and expertise are crucial to the Huntsville area and the nation.

Requested Actions: • Ensure SLS funding at a level to complete development and be in service no later than 2018 with core and upper stages in parallel, ultimately capable of delivering 130MT to low Earth orbit, consistent with The NASA Authorization Act of 2010; • Ensure funding of the SLS Exploration Upper Stage at levels required to support the EM-2 flight in 2021; • Ensure utilization of MSFC expertise with significant roles in development of long-duration, deep-space habitation, including design and development of advanced life support systems (including oxygen generation and water recovery);

• Support continued funding of the ISS to realize full potential with continuation of MSFC ISS Payload Operations; • Support MSFC’s leadership role in design and development of next-generation propulsion systems, in-space transportation systems, and planetary descent/ascent vehicles; • Sustain MSFC core capabilities by funding the NASA Cross Agency Support line item; • Support and fund MSFC’s leadership role in design and development of nuclear-thermal propulsion systems and stage for deep-space, long-duration exploration missions;

Although the Office of the Secretary of Defense redirected CPGS efforts to a Navy Lead in FY 2015, with Army support, continuation of the Army Program is necessary. The Army program will act as a risk mitigation effort to ensure the Nation has a Limited Operational Capability, if required, by 2020.

Community Impact: More than 8,000 local jobs are tied to various missile defense programs. While Huntsville has always been on the leading edge of Missile Development, the potential loss of the AHW program – and no visible effort to develop a counter to hypersonic weapons – may result in hypersonic weapon development efforts being done elsewhere.

• Support utilization of MSFC engineering and management expertise by commercial interests in their development of liquid and solid rocket propulsion systems, engines and motors, ensuring the industry has vibrant and competitive suppliers;

Requested Actions:

• Maintain and enhance MSFC’s critically important roles in Earth, Space and Planetary Science research and applications and missions, such as Europa Clipper and lander;

• Support a strategy to continue the Army/SMDC AHW program to transition to an operational weapon system

• Support robust funding for NASA’s SERVIR and SPoRT Earth Science programs, providing data for agriculture and disaster mitigation; • Support continued funding for operation of NASA’s Fermi and Chandra Observatories, as well as for research and analysis utilizing these national assets; • Support funding for the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer, IXPE, chosen to observe black holes, neutron stars and pulsars; • Support full funding for the Solar Probe Plus mission.

• Support the development of new propulsion systems and local launch system development to reduce national dependence on foreign systems and protect the national industrial base.

Space, Air/Missile Defense, and Hypersonic Weapons Development America requires a robust space and air/missile defense integrated architecture composed of highly sophisticated capabilities that are networked and integrated from earth to space. Systems include: Space-based Sensors/Communications; Ground-based Ballistic Missile Defenses (BMD); Ground-based Air Defenses; and Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (CRAM) defenses. Combat experience over the past decade, combined with rapidly evolving threats, reinforce the need for a fully integrated space and air/ missile defense architecture that is responsive, resilient, and lethal against current and future enemy threats. As potential adversaries improve their strategic strike capabilities – both qualitatively and quantitatively – the nation requires a combination of defensive and offensive capabilities. Continued investment in hypersonic weapons development will provide the nation with a complementary capability to our air/missile defenses, and complicate an adversary’s concepts for employing their strategic strike systems.

As we look at future missile capabilities, the ability to develop and field hypersonic weapons and defend against Advanced Hypersonic Weapons (AHW) being developed by the Russians and Chinese is crucial to our National Security and our Technical Industrial Base.

The Conventional Prompt Global Strike (CPGS) program addresses the need for the U.S. to build the newest generation of Offensive Missile Capability. Huntsville/U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) has been a key element in the CPGS program with the Army’s Advanced Hypersonic Weapons (AHW) Program.

• Sustain full funding for the existing air/missile defense and hypersonic weapon programs.

• Support efforts to develop defensive capabilities against hypersonic weapons.

Support Army Aviation Science and Technology The Army’s ability to apply Aviation power is paramount in the National Defense Strategy. The ability to design and integrate the latest technological advancements not only increases the Army’s combat power, but also maintains our Nation’s position of leadership in this complex scientific area.

Community Impact: Alabama is the epicenter of Army Aviation. The collocation of the Program Executive Office, Aviation (PEOAVN), the Redstone Test Center (RTC), the Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), and the Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal allows for the focused application of resources to maintain leadership in the Aviation arena. The full lifecycle of Army Aviation assets is managed at Redstone Arsenal. These organizations and the supporting industry account for thousands of jobs in northern Alabama.

Requested Actions: • Increase and support Aviation S&T funding at a level that allows the Army to keep the current fleet technologically relevant as well as invest in future capabilities that maintain the Nation’s position as a leader in Aviation technology and capabilities.

• Accelerate funding for the Next Generation Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Science and Technology Program – leading to the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System.

Biosciences The United States must continue to make global leadership in the biosciences a priority. Robust federal funding for scientific research is an essential economic driver in biosciences. Through the work funded by the federal entities including the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy, we are seeing rapid advancements in biosciences in the Huntsville-Madison County region.

Federal funding through these agencies have allowed for innovation and commercialization of technologies, diagnostics, and medical treatments – which, in turn, lead to better quality of life. The impact

2017 FEDERAL AGENDA, continued

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

is demonstrated in better human health but also through numerous improvements in agriculture, which is key to the sustainability of the population. Beyond the demonstrable benefit to wellbeing, there is tremendous, direct economic impact of federal funding for biosciences in nonprofit research, and the growing community of biotechnology and pharmaceutical-based companies leveraging that research in the area.

Senator Richard Shelby (R)

The nonprofit research organization, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, the companies that reside on the HudsonAlpha Biotech campus, the companies that are in the greater Huntsville area, and the colleges and universities in North Alabama, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville, all are important components of this growing innovation economy. HudsonAlpha and the north Alabama bioscience hub of companies are generating discoveries and applying the results in therapeutics, medical devices and equipment, genomic services, and life science product development. Additionally, HudsonAlpha’s education programs are equipping the next generation of scientists along with creating a genomics-literate society poised to successfully fill the roles of a bioscience-rich job force.

Requested Actions: • The Chamber strongly supports increased scientific research funding levels for the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, which has direct and indirect economic impact for the Huntsville-Madison County area.

• The Chamber supports legislation that furthers bioscience innovation and growth in the private sector.

Washington, D.C. Office 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Telephone: 202-224-5744 | Fax: 202-224-3416 senator@shelby.senate.gov shelby.senate.gov Huntsville Office Huntsville International Airport, 1000 Glenn Hearn Boulevard Box 20127, Huntsville, AL 35824 Phone: 256-772-0460 | Fax: 256-772-8387 District Director: Carrie Suggs

Senator Luther Strange (R) Washington, D.C. Office G-12 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-4124 luther@lutherstrange.com strange.senate.gov

Representative Mo Brooks (R) Washington, D.C. Office 1230 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4801 | Fax: 202-225-4392 Email available on website brooks.house.gov Huntsville Office 2101 Clinton Avenue W, Suite 302, Huntsville, AL 35803 Phone: 256-551-0190 | Fax: 256-551-0194 District Director: Tiffany Noel

Representative Robert Aderholt (R) Washington, D.C. Office 235 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4876 | Fax: 202-225-5587 Email available on website aderholt.house.gov Cullman Office 205 Fourth Avenue NE, Suite 104, Cullman, AL 35055 Serving Blount, Cullman, Lawrence, and Marshall (City of Arab) counties.

225 Church Street NW Huntsville, AL 35801 ph: 256-535-2000

hsvchamber.org