WASHINGTON- Today, Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Representatives Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) in launching the Global Positioning System (GPS) Caucus. This bipartisan caucus will bring heightened awareness to the wide-ranging economic and societal benefits of GPS.

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“GPSIA applauds Senators Ernst and Duckworth and Representatives Loebsack and Bacon for their leadership in establishing the GPS Caucus as a platform for highlighting the ever-increasing importance of GPS technologies to our economy and infrastructure,” said GPS Innovation Alliance Executive Director David Grossman. “We look forward to working with congressional leaders through the caucus to further GPS innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.”

 

More than 3.3 million jobs in the United States rely heavily on GPS technology.  Originally designed with American military needs in mind, GPS has evolved to benefit nearly every segment of the U.S. economy, including aviation, public safety dispatch, automotive navigation, precision agriculture, road construction, as well as a host of other systems upon which millions of Americans rely every day.

 

As the caucus launches, the chairs also introduced resolutions in both the Senate and House recognizing the contributions and importance of the GPS constellation. Each year, GPS contributes more than $68 billion to the U.S. economy and impacts all levels of infrastructure.
 

Since GPS satellites were first launched, they have become both an indispensable and reliable part of the country’s national infrastructure. Public and private investment in GPS-based technologies and services have produced a steady stream of innovations, making the U.S. a global leader in the sector.
 

In December 2018, the first of a new generation of GPS satellites, known as GPS III, was launched. Once fully operational, the satellites are expected to offer enhanced signal reliability, accuracy, and integrity, continuing to build on the United States’ investment in GPS technology. The U.S. Air Force currently has 31 operational GPS satellites.

 

The GPS Caucus will prioritize ensuring GPS signals remain continuously available, accurate, reliable, and resilient. The caucus anticipates hosting educational briefings, technology demonstrations and will advocate for policies that support the long-term health and future of GPS. On April 2, these efforts will kickoff with an educational briefing on the Hill featuring remarks from Senator Duckworth, Representative Loebsack, Colonel Curtis Hernandez, USAF, Director National Security Space Policy, National Space Council and industry leaders from Deere & Company, Garmin and Trimble.

 

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About the GPS Innovation Alliance

The GPS Innovation Alliance was founded by Deere & Company, Garmin International, Inc. and Trimble Inc. The Alliance recognizes the ever increasing importance of Global Positioning System (GPS) and other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies to the global economy and infrastructure and is firmly committed to furthering GPS innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. The GPS Innovation Alliance seeks to protect, promote and enhance the use of GPS. For more information, please visit www.gpsalliance.org.