WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) urged Secretary Troy Meink of the United States Air Force to increase the efficiency of modernization operations at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37).

SLC-37 is one of the few launch pads on the Eastern Range that has historically been used for heavy lift launches, but today, it sits idle due to outdated infrastructure. The United States Air Force has agreed to demolish SLC-37's outdated infrastructure, however, approval for the construction of next-generation heavy lift launch capabilities is still under review.

The Donalds-led effort seeks to revive the operational readiness of SLC-37 to ensure continued American space dominance and has received the bicameral support of Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL).

Here's what they're saying:

ABC 3 WEAR–PENSACOLA: "Florida lawmakers pushing to accelerate construction of the new launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral. Demolition of the outdated launch pad has been approved, but lawmakers want to move quickly with the replacement. Representative Byron Donalds and Senator Ashley Moody are calling on the U.S. Air Force for immediate authorization to return the site to operational readiness. In a letter, they said the launch pad's heavy lift capability are critical to maintaining America's leadership in space."

THE FLORIDIAN: "U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Florida Sen. Ashley Moody are leading a bicameral effort to accelerate the modernization of Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37, a critical heavy-lift launch pad currently sitting inactive because of outdated infrastructure. Space Launch Complex 37 was used during the Apollo program beginning in the 1960s and included launches of Saturn I and Saturn IB. 'Cape Canaveral SLC-37 is a launch pad that was historically used for heavy-lift launches," Donalds said. 'It now sits idle due to bureaucratic red-tape. I'm proud to lead the bicameral effort alongside @SenAshleyMoody to revive and modernize SLC-37 to ensure continued American space dominance.'”

FLORIDA POLITICS: "Moody and Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican, sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink saying the Pentagon needs to accelerate its efforts with demolition and reconstruction. The Defense Department already has approved plans to tear down retired structures under Categorical Exclusion, or CATEX. The Florida Republicans want new construction approved."

FLORIDA'S VOICE: "U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody are leading a bicameral push to accelerate the modernization of Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37 — a historically significant heavy-lift launch pad currently sitting idle due to outdated infrastructure. Donalds and Moody said restoring SLC-37’s heavy-lift capabilities is critical to maintaining America’s leadership in space amid rising international competition, particularly from China."

POLITICO FLORIDA: "GOP Rep. BYRON DONALDS is attending NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 launch Thursday as he pushes for NASA’s headquarters to be relocated from Washington to Florida and for the Air Force to modernize Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37."

REAL RADIO 104.1 FM WTKS–COCOA BEACH: "Alright, a couple of Florida lawmakers are pushing to modernize a space coast launch facility. Senator Ashley Moody and Congressman Byron Donalds announced yesterday that they have urged the Air Force Secretary to increase the efficiency of modernization operations at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37."

SPECTRUM BAY NEWS 9–TAMPA: "Senator Ashley Moody and Congressman Byron Donalds are urging the United States Air Force to update an inactive launch complex on our space coast. The pair wrote a letter to the Air Force Secretary saying they want to update Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37. This is the launch pad that was used mainly during the Apollo Program back in the 60s, but it's been inactive for years."

TAMPA FREE PRESS: "Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) is leading a bicameral effort, supported by Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL), to accelerate the modernization of Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral. In a letter to Secretary Meink, Congressman Donalds and Senator Moody emphasized the urgent need to return SLC-37 to operational readiness, citing the site’s foundational role in ensuring American national security and space dominance. They highlighted the surging demand for launches across military, intelligence, and civil programs, emphasizing that legacy infrastructure must be modernized efficiently to support next-generation systems."

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