The House is advancing drafts of the defense policy bill and defense spending bill that would essentially block the Air Force’s proposal to move Air National Guard units that work on space missions into the Space Force, as Stars and Stripes reported.

The National Defense Authorization Act contains language that would let governors block the move. That bill is expected to be on the House floor this week.

And the defense spending bill before the Appropriations Committee includes language that prohibits “the moving of National Guard missions, functions or personnel to the Space Force in contravention of current law.”

The National Guard Association of the United States has lobbied against the move, which would affect about 600 Guard personnel in six states and the D.C.

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) is supportive of the Air Force’s proposal, as On Base reported.

Space Force Recruiting Air Reservists

Meanwhile, the Space Force is also recruiting Air Force reservists in some professions with experience working on space missions, as Military.com reported.

“This is an important first step toward fully integrating critical space expertise from the reserve into our force,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said. “We’ve been serving side-by-side together, supporting the same mission, for longer than the Space Force has existed. I’m excited to officially call the teammates who decide to transfer ‘Guardians.’”

Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kayla Barker