VIDEO: Senator Moody Champions Skilled Workforce and Florida’s Dominance in Space at Aerospace Company Employing Thousands in Tampa Bay

CLEARWATER, Fla.-Senator Ashley Moody held an aerospace-focused townhall today with Florida workers who are on the cutting edge of American space innovation. During the townhall event at Honeywell Aerospace in Clearwater, Senator Moody spoke with the employees and highlighted Florida's major role as the nation's launchpad to the stars. In addition to fighting for Florida's space industry, Senator Moody is also working to increase the skilled workforce through expanding technical education opportunities with her new TRADES Act.

"In the interest of national security, America must remain the world's leader in space, and Florida is center stage. That is why strengthening our state's space industry is one of my priorities in the Senate, and why I continue fighting for resources to support Florida space operations and to help increase the skilled workforce needed to keep us shooting for the stars," saidSenator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• Work performed at the Honeywell Aerospace in Clearwater helped build NASA's Orion spacecraft and assisted in the historic Artemis II mission, which recently took four astronauts around the Moon.

• Senator Moody has a staunch record supporting Florida's Space Coast, where launches have increased by over 500% since 2016.
• Senator Moody passed the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act, to ensure the U.S. remains competitive and at the forefront of space innovation and exploration.
  • The legislation bolsters public-private partnerships by making spaceport facility bonds tax-exempt, treating spaceports the same as airports and seaports.
• Senator Moody recently introduced the Space Ready 2.0 Act, which would establish a NASA-wide pilot program allowing the agency to accept voluntary private contributions for infrastructure improvement projects at NASA centers.
  • The proposal does not create a new spending program, establish a new Treasury fund, or authorize new federal spending. Rather, it builds upon NASA's existing authority and allows private-sector partners to voluntarily invest in infrastructure improvements that directly support the missions they rely upon.
• Earlier in July, Senator Moody met with the crew of Artemis II at Kennedy Space Center as they thanked the hundreds of NASA engineers, mathematicians and scientists who built the rocket that launched them farther into space than any human has ever traveled.
• Senator Moody also introduced the CAPE Canaveral Act to relocate NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast-where it belongs.
• In addition to supporting Florida's space efforts, Senator Moody is also working to increase the skilled workforce and expand technical education opportunities. Senator Moody recently introduced the TRADES Act, which would increase an existing tax on ultra-wealthy universities similar to that of the capital gains tax that Floridians already pay on their investment income. This money would then be used to provide additional funding to the Perkins Career and Technical Education grants, which currently contribute to the education of around 12 million students across the country. Perkins Career and Technical Education grants are the federal government's primary way of funding career and technical education.
• Senator Moody recently announced even more organizations and trade groups have endorsed the TRADES Act.

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