Kamala Harris is adding chair of the National Space Council to her expanding vice presidential portfolio, senior administration officials announced Saturday.
Harris will put her own "stamp" of priorities on the cabinet-level body that coordinates national security priorities, civilian exploration and the growing private economy of space, including "supporting sustainable development of commercial space activity, advancing peaceful norms and responsible behaviors in space, achieving peaceful exploration objectives with our allies and partners," an official said.
The list also includes a focus on climate change, STEM education, diversity in the workforce, promoting regional economic development and enhancing cybersecurity in space systems.
In a tweet Saturday, Harris said she was "honored" by the new gig, adding, "In America, when we shoot for the moon, we plant our flag on it."
The council was created by executive order by President George H.W. Bush, and requires the vice-president to be the chair. After Bush, the council was essentially disbanded until it was brought back by another executive order from President Donald Trump in 2017. It was then chaired by Vice President Mike Pence.
The Harris-chaired council will be operating under that same order but that could change. An official said they "haven't really made a decision on whether changes in that executive order will be necessary."
A senior Harris aide told POLITICO, "We are reviewing the membership and procedures of the Council to ensure it is best postured to support the policies of the Biden-Harris Administration. As yet, no decisions have been made but that's not holding up progress on the work."
