The acting defense secretary is making a renewed pitch to Congress for authority to create a Space Force as a separate branch of the military.

Patrick Shanahan, who�s been heading the Pentagon on an interim basis since Jan. 1, is testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Some committee members have expressed skepticism about the need to establish a Space Force as a separate military service.

In his prepared remarks, Shanahan says a Space Force is required to maintain what he calls America�s �margin of dominance� in space. He also says China and Russia are � in his words � �weaponizing� space.

The Trump administration�s proposal is part of a broader plan intended to accelerate the development of U.S. space defenses.

(AP)