Self-contradiction is so prevalent on Capitol Hill that it’s received its own euphemism: political evolution. Politicians love to evolve their issue positions—that is, contradict their previously stated fundamental beliefs.
In late March, Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made a policy evolution so glaring it may indeed be classified as a brand-new species.
This, in turn, allows the United States to reduce its reliance on potentially malevolent foreign powers—a critical need for the Air Force, as well as the United States’ national security dependence.
Smith’s letter is peak political evolution.
He argued that the program was the best way to end the United States’ reliance on Russia’s RD-180 rockets and supported the system of competition among launch providers it created. What was the name of the Air Force initiative that Smith went to bat for? The Launch Service Agreement.
Changing Perspectives
The first, and most reasonable, explanation—that Smith’s political evolution reflects a genuine adjustment to changing circumstances—doesn’t hold much water. The Air Force created the LSA program to ensure the United States’ independence from Russian propulsion systems by constructing launch vehicles that could meet national security space requirements on their own. That priority hasn’t changed. If anything, the need for U.S.-made rockets has only grown stronger with time.The Air Force is required by law to phase out its use of the Russian RD-180 rocket by 2022. Given that U.S. propulsion systems are currently reliant on that piece of technology, it behooves the U.S. government to swiftly eliminate that dependence. The LSA is being used to facilitate that transition.
From a policy perspective, it doesn’t make sense for the chairman to call for the program to slow down. Delaying the initiative only serves to increase the time crunch, as the LSA struggles to make up for lost time. The chairman must know this, and that makes his backward evolution all the more troubling.
The other—and perhaps more plausible—explanation for Smith’s self-contradiction is that the congressman is being influenced by outside forces, namely lobbyists. It’s no secret that some aerospace companies that weren’t selected by the Air Force have been advocating for substantial delays to the LSA program.
At a time when the United States is once again focused on the threat that is Russia, it would make sense to distance ourselves from any dependence on their technologies. After watching what happened with our energy dependence on shaky allies and enemies, Smith must decide which side he’s on.
These other interests aren’t putting America first, but rather the almighty dollar. Therefore, it’s the opinion of this former Russian linguist that it’s imperative that the Air Force press forward with the LSA program, since any delays pose a substantial risk to the foundation of U.S. aerospace and national security.
Hopefully, Smith once again recognizes this reality. It’s never too late for a political devolution.
