Pence announces first steps in creation of a Space Force as new military branch

Speaking alongside Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Pentagon Thursday, Vice President Pence announced that “establishing the Space Force is an idea whose time has come.”

The big picture: The Vice President explained the Pentagon has begun the process of establishing Space Force as a 6th branch of the U.S. military by 2020, beginning with the establishment of a new combatant command overseen by a four-star general. However, only Congress has the power to establish a new branch of the military.

The details: Pence outlined the first stages of a plan that the Department of Defense will deliver to congress to develop a U.S. Space Force. The plan includes four pillars, including the need to “strengthen deterrence and warfighting options.”

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